OSU President Gee to Keynote Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray, Green Fair
WOOSTER, Ohio -- Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee will be the keynote speaker at the university’s fourth annual Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair April 19. The free public event runs from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster. Gee will speak on “Sustaining a Stronger Ohio” during the 11-11:30 a.m. opening ceremony in Fisher Auditorium.
“The creative power and technical expertise of The Ohio State University are being marshaled every day on behalf of Ohio farmers, Ohio businesses and Ohio residents to help make all our lives cleaner and greener,” Gee said.
“Green energy and green practices are an essential part of building sustainable prosperity in Ohio,” Gee added. “To paraphrase an old movie line, ‘green is good.’ ”
The fair is a combined university and community endeavor whose primary mission is to educate people about sustainability, said Allen Zimmerman, the chair of the planning committee.
It’s also a celebration of the environment and what’s being done to protect and improve it -- by Ohio State researchers and by Ohio agencies, non-profits, businesses and citizens.
Zimmerman founded the fair in 2007. He’s a professor of engineering technology and technical physics at Ohio State’s Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI), also in Wooster. It’s adjacent to OARDC.
“It’s an honor to have Dr. Gee present the keynote address,” Zimmerman said. “He has demonstrated a strong commitment to the integration of sustainability throughout OSU in campus operations, educational coursework and programs, research, and outreach.”
He cited as examples Gee’s creation of the President’s and Provost’s Council on Sustainability at Ohio State and his signing of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.
Among the most highly experienced and respected university presidents in the nation, Gee returned to Ohio State after serving as chancellor of Vanderbilt University for seven years. Prior to his tenure at Vanderbilt, he was president of Brown University (1998-2000), Ohio State (1990-97), the University of Colorado (1985-90) and West Virginia University (1981-85).
The fair features eco-oriented exhibits, student competitions, a recycling station, food vendors and more. “Green Is for Life!” is the theme. Last year’s event drew 67 exhibitors and 2,000 people.
For more information, call 330-287-1263 or go to http://www.wcsen.org/wcsggf/.
Coordinating sponsors are Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; OARDC, ATI and Ohio State University Extension — all three are part of the college; and the Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network.
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