 |
by Jane Halbedel, Air Quality Chair
A chance encounter with a Cleveland State University (CSU) student
brought to my attention the exciting changes that former President
Michael Schwartz had dynamically brought to the CSU campus complex.
I attended a CSU dinner event in early June that featured Dr.
Majid Rashidi. His talk, "Energy, the Sustenance for Civilization;
Renewable Energy, a Must," proved extremely informative and
focused on his "innovative wind power harnessing system that
has been featured in The Plain Dealer and The New York Times."
His "innovative wind power harnessing system" is a wind
turbine that is being touted for having the potential to "change
the face of wind energy," and is currently undergoing a year
of tests to ensure it meets all design criteria. This wind turbine,
which was funded by a substantial grant from the Department of
Energy, is capable of meeting the energy consumption used by two
houses. This wind turbine is viewed as being suitable for the tops
of farm silos and other structures that can support its weight.
The first prototype for this system rests atop CSU's Physical Plant
Building just west of the I-90 Innerbelt entrance off of Chester
Avenue. (Quotations are from a CSU promotional event announcement.)
Dr. Rashidi's lecture was preceded by an overview of the massive
changes to CSU's campus, including some buildings to become LEED
certified. This information prompted me to attend "A Special
Tribute to Michael Schwartz," held in June at the Allen Theater.
I went with the intent of becoming more acquainted with this amazing
man's accomplishments. He has resigned from his presidency but
will return as a professor this fall.
Serendipitously, on my way to the celebration, I met someone who
is intimately familiar with these stellar changes. I was taken
on an extensive two-hour tour of CSU's campus by Ed Schmittgen,
Executive Director of Capital Planning and University Architect.
I wish had a video camera to document this nearly breathtaking
experience.
In retrospect, I do believe I was somehow magically transported
to what surely must have been a BIG TEN college campus. Never had
I envisioned the stellar changes that occurred over the mere eight
years that Michael Schwartz was at the helm of CSU. Aside from
spectacular architecture with magnificently vaulted ceilings, there
is a massive exercise room with an indoor track and an Olympic-sized
swimming pool known as the Recreation Center. Since my visit, a
new feature has been added. Spearheaded by Erin Huber and LeeAnn
Westfall, both environmental science majors, a 7,000-square-foot
area of the roof is now endowed with 15,000 plants. The $250,000
project is a "designated gift" to the university from
Erin and Lee's respective classes of 2009 and 2010 combined with
additional donations. This amazing "green" gift will
keep on giving, and extend the roof's life by an additional 30
to 40 years because of its added protection from the elements.
(PD-Metro Section, 8/6/09).
In addition, beautiful green areas punctuate the campus setting
with lovely sculpture and convenient benches. I recently drove
by the CSU campus and saw beautiful flowering gardens abundant
with lavender-colored flowers reminiscent of those found in the
countryside of France. What astounds is that this Mesopotamia-like
isle is located in the middle of a rust-belt city, and is a lovely
accompaniment to our beautiful University Circle. There is just
not enough space to adequately describe the transformation that
now typifies the CSU college campus.
I conclude by celebrating the extraordinary visionary leadership
of Michael Schwartz, who forever changed the landscape of Cleveland
and has paved the way for CSU to become a great economic engine
and tremendous educational hub in Ohio.
On behalf of the Sierra Club, belated congratulations, President
Emeritus Michael Schwartz, on the masterful contributions you have
brought to the City of Cleveland.
|
|
