The History of the Syracuse Center of Excellence
The deepest roots of Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (Syracuse CoE) can be traced to a fertile combination of historical events, including:
• The opening in 1825 of the Erie Canal;
• The establishment of Syracuse University in 1870;
• The invention of modern air conditioning technology in 1903 by Willis H. Carrier;
• The creation in 1911 of the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University (now the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry);
• The relocation of Carrier Corp. in 1937 from Newark, NJ, to Syracuse;
• And the establishment of "Electronics Park" in Syracuse by General Electric in 1947.
Photo: An 1874 bird's-eye view of Syracuse, showing the path of the Erie Canal.More recently, the genesis of the Syracuse CoE began in 1996 with
Vision 2010, the blueprint for regional economic development that was prepared by the
Metropolitan Development Association (MDA) of Syracuse and Central New York. The MDA plan identified "environmental systems, equipment, and services" as one of seven industry "clusters" in the region.
A committee was formed to evaluate specific opportunities for economic development in environmental systems. In 1998, the group narrowed the field of possibilities to the most promising areas, including indoor environmental quality and energy systems.
In 2000, the initiative achieved a major milestone by establishing the
New York Indoor Environmental Quality (NYIEQ) Center as an independent not-for-profit corporation. The NYIEQ Center is a vital link between companies and academic institutions throughout the region, fostering projects that are led by industry and driven by market opportunities.
In 2001, New York State invited 13 academic institutions to submit proposals to create Strategically Targeted Academic Research (STAR) centers that pursued the strategy of focusing academic research in areas of greatest opportunity for economic development. The
Environmental Quality Systems (EQS) STAR Center led by Syracuse University received $15.9 million, the largest award in the competition.
In 2002,
New York Governor George E. Pataki created the New York Center of Excellence in Environmental Systems headquartered in Syracuse. At its inception, the Syracuse CoE was organized to include efforts of both the NYIEQ Center and the EQS STAR Center and other related enterprises at our partner institutions, firms, and organizations.
In 2004, Gov. George Pataki announced that the core mission of the Syracuse CoE will expand to include to include "renewable and clean energy sources ... from wind and solar power to geothermal and fuel cells." In addition, Pataki directed the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to create a partnership with the Syracuse CoE "to make New York's biofuels industry one of the strongest in the nation."
Since 1998, the initiative has secured awards and commitments of more than $44 million in state funds and more than $28 million from federal sources. The awards demonstrate outstanding commitment and exemplary collaboration by multiple elected officials, including Gov. Pataki, Congressman James T. Walsh (NY-25), and New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli.
The Syracuse CoE’s successes did not occur overnight, or by chance. Rather, they can be attributed to hard work, a creative vision, and the dedication of the Metropolitan Development Association, Syracuse University, SUNY-ESF, SUNY Upstate Medical University, and the business community of Central Upstate New York that first created the New York Indoor Environmental Quality Center, Inc. (NYIEQ) in 2000.
With the designation of the Syracuse CoE by Governor Pataki in 2002, the Syracuse CoE and NYIEQ came together this year to form a single organizational structure, mission/vision, and Board of Directors, under the brand of the Syracuse Center of Excellence.
Prof. P. Ole Fanger
On September 19, 2006, Syracuse University and the Syracuse CoE lost a friend and an esteemed colleague. Dr. P. Ole Fanger was the world's leading expert on the effect of the indoor environment on human comfort, health, and productivity. He passed away while visiting Syracuse University in his capacity as a University Professor, SU's highest academic rank.
Fanger also was Senior Professor at the International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy at the Technical University of Denmark. For more than three decades, Fanger conducted interdisciplinary research that contributed to identifying the prime importance of the indoor environment for human comfort, health, and productivity. His pioneering work on thermal comfort and indoor air quality provides the scientific foundation for standards across the world.