At a glance
Clark’s presentation, Green Schools, Sustainable Communities, was part of the Green Colleges and Universities: Greening Your Campus Operations discussions at the conference. Clark’s presentation detailed the activities Alfred State College is conducting to become greener and what steps are being taken to address the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment signed by Alfred State Colleg
Craig R. Clark, dean, School of Applied Technology at Alfred State College, recently presented at an Appalachian Regional Commission conference in Rome, GA.
Clark’s presentation, Green Schools, Sustainable Communities, was part of the Green Colleges and Universities: Greening Your Campus Operations discussions at the conference. Clark’s presentation detailed the activities Alfred State College is conducting to become American College and University President’s Climate Commitment signed by Alfred State College President Dr. John M. Anderson.
The college continues to develop technical expertise in various green areas, including solar thermal, photovoltaic systems, geothermal, weatherization, wind energy, and green construction. These technologies have been imbedded in existing programs to assure ASC graduates are prepared for the green careers of the future. The college’s continuing development of this technical expertise has been supported through various Appalachian Regional Commission grants obtained through Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board. The latest project includes construction of a green model home on the Wellsville campus incorporating these green technologies. In fact, Alfred State College was one of five highlighted colleges in an ARC publication, “Green Schools and Sustainability in Appalachia” distributed at the conference.
Using the expertise developed over the years in its programs, the college itself is going green through new projects designed using green technologies such as geothermal in the rehabilitation of the Allied Health building on designing to LEED standards in all new buildings. All phases of operation at the college, from energy use and transportation through recycling, are being reviewed and updated to assure that the college lowers its carbon footprint. Other presenters at the conference included Ohio University and University of Tennessee. Sharing of information among the 13 states represented in the Appalachian Regional Commission is vital to assure that this region continues to be a leader in protecting and advancing the environment.
Clark has been associated with Alfred State College since 1979 in various teaching and administrative capacities, including professor and department chair of Civil Engineering Technology and executive director of the Wellsville Campus. He is PI (principal investigator) on various grants, including a $2.1 million NYSERDA grant with six other community colleges dedicated to spreading clean energy training across New York State.
Clark holds a master of science degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University, a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado, and an associate of science degree in engineering science from Jamestown Community College. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York State.