September 20, 2007
To the Williams Community,
I am very pleased to announce the next important step in our effort to make College operations environmentally sustainable — the launching of a center to lead those initiatives, funded by a wonderfully generous gift of $5 million from Selim Zilkha, Class of 1946.
The Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives will work with students, faculty, and staff to incorporate principles of sustainability into the fabric of campus life — in learning, in our purchasing and operations, in capital projects, and in the daily routines of us all. It will lead the development and management of a strategic plan for sustainability to include energy management and greenhouse gas emissions reductions, waste management, environment-friendly development and purchasing, and student involvement and education. This work will complement the already strong academic programs of our longstanding Center for Environmental Studies.
The Zilkha Center will be housed on the first floor of Hopkins Hall, as part of the Office of the Vice President for Operations. It will be led by a full-time staff person, reporting to Vice President Steve Klass. A national search for the position will begin as soon as we can form a broadly representative search committee.
Achieving our Board-approved goal of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 to ten percent below their 1990-91 levels will require creative and bold initiatives that call on investments of College time, money, and intellectual efforts. I’m encouraged by the commitment to these efforts shown already by so many in the Williams community and by this magnificent gift.
Selim Zilkha has already proven himself to be an international leader in the environmental movement. He and his son Michael have pioneered the application of new technology to the energy industry, first with oil, then wind, and now biomass.
Asked about his motivation for the gift, he replied: “I went back to Williams for my 60th reunion, the first one I attended. I was really impressed and decided to do something for the College. Because of my experience in energy, most recently renewable energy, making Williams a more energy efficient and environmentally sensitive campus was a natural fit. It’s my hope that Williams will become a leader in this field, and that future graduates will benefit.”
Our great thanks go to him and to all in the Williams community who have brought us to this point — a new chapter in the history of our College operations. We shall do all that we can to honor those efforts and the lofty intent of this thoughtful and timely gift.
Best regards,
M. Schapiro
President
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