The University of Dayton has appointed Don Pair, a 30-year faculty member, as executive director of its Hanley Sustainability Institute. 

"One of the highlights of my time at UD has been to help stand up HSI. I believe our sustainability work by the faculty, staff, students and community partners makes an impact on local and global sustainability issues," said Pair, who led the institute in an interim role for four years after it was established in 2014 through a $12.5 million gift from the George P. Hanley Foundation.

In that role, he strengthened the University's offerings in sustainability education, leveraging existing courses in the environmental biology, geology, renewable and clean energy, and sustainability, energy and environment programs. He also helped develop partnerships among the University's undergraduate programs and the University of Dayton Research Institute to work with the Dayton community on sustainable energy solutions, conserving water resources and eliminating food insecurity.

Pair’s appointment is effective July 1. In this new role, he will work with the sustainability program director and the director of the sustainability graduate certificate, among others, to deepen partnerships and further integrate sustainability into the curriculum. He also will work with UD facilities management on campus sustainability planning and focus on building relationships for additional philanthropic support for the institute's student-centered programs and initiatives.

"This leadership opportunity differs from my previous role in standing up the institute," Pair said. "Today, I am drawn back to the institute because of its strong, established strategic plan that has faculty, staff and students engaged in the community."

Pair joined the University in 1991 and was a member of the geology faculty for 16 years, including five as department chair. He has worked in the College of Arts and Sciences dean's office the past 14 years as associate dean for integrated learning and curriculum, interim executive director of the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, and associate dean for interdisciplinary research and experiential initiatives, in addition to his previous stint at the institute.

"Don did a great job of getting the Hanley Sustainability Institute up and running in an interim role, and inaugural executive director Ben McCall did an excellent job of building the institute into the success it is today," said Danielle Poe, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "I expect Don's experience, which has touched many corners of this campus, will maintain the institute's momentum."

For interviews, please contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at srobinson1@udayton.edu.