Hanley Sustainability Institute

By Mark Gokavi

For George Hanley ’77 and Amanda Hanley, the return on their investment in sustainability at the University of Dayton has been worth every penny.

Thursday, Sept. 19, marks the fifth anniversary since their $12.5 million gift formed the Hanley Sustainability Institute and refueled ongoing sustainability initiatives and academic programs.

“HSI has exceeded our wildest expectations,” Amanda Hanley said. “Over the past five years, we have been thrilled to witness an array of new academic offerings, campus innovations such as the massive solar prairie, community partnerships such as the Lincoln Hill urban farm, and regional to global renewable energy research projects.”

Bachelors’ degrees in sustainability for arts and sciences students were approved this year to accompany the sustainability minor, a graduate certificate and the School of Engineering’s  master's program in renewable and clean energy.

“It’s wonderful to see bright, passionate students and faculty from many different disciplines coming together to work on genuine solutions,” Amanda Hanley said. “There is good reason UD has been recognized as a Top 20 Cool School by Sierra magazine the past two years.”

Hanley Sustainability Institute Executive Director Ben McCall, hired in August 2018, said transforming UD into a truly sustainable university is a main focus.

“We are providing strategic leadership on many fronts including the pursuit of carbon neutrality for the campus,” McCall said. “Going forward, our strategic planning process will more clearly chart the course for the next five years and beyond.”

Meg Maloney, a 2018 graduate with a major in environmental biology and a minor in sustainability, energy and the environment, was one of the first students to talk with Amanda Hanley after the gift announcement.

“Over the past 5 years, I believe the University has developed some amazing programs that have enhanced sustainability education, experiential learning, community outreach and education and the overall quality of student life,” said Maloney, now an HSI graduate assistant. “I am excited to see UD continue to be a national leader for sustainability and continue to raise the bar in terms of sustainable development on campus and off.”

Like Maloney, several former students have stayed connected with UD to continue the sustainability effort on and off campus.

“As we face a climate crisis and student strikes around the globe demand we safeguard their future,” Amanda Hanley said, “UD is demonstrating profound leadership and truly preparing students to create a more just and sustainable world."