Briefs: Cornell research, sustainability map, literary fest, more

Schumer announces $8.5 million to support Cornell synchrotron research

Building on his advocacy to bolster upstate New York as a global leader in innovation and manufacturing, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced April 14 that he has secured $8.5 million in additional federal funding for the award-winning Cornell High-Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) Lab. This funding comes as the CHESS Lab breaks ground on a new $32 million expansion funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (National MagLab), to build a High Magnetic Field (HMF) beamline, exceeding scientific capabilities of any other facility in the world.

This funding is the culmination of years of advocacy by Schumer, who, when CHESS faced potentially losing its NSF funding in 2012, was instrumental in preventing cuts. Schumer said this latest expansion will support the over 150 good-paying science and tech-based jobs at CHESS, plus over 150 new jobs in construction and to run the HMF beamline, and will lay the foundation for a growing innovation economy in upstate New York and continued American global leadership in research.

“The next frontier of scientific innovation and the good-paying jobs that work creates are being developed right here in Ithaca,” Schumer said at a press conference held April 14. “When CHESS faced major cuts in federal support 10 years ago, I fought tooth and nail to ensure its pioneering research and hundreds of research jobs would remain here in upstate New York, and today’s new funding and expansion confirms the tremendous potential this facility holds for the future of scientific discovery and for upstate’s innovation economy.”

Cornell President Martha E. Pollack said, “CHESS has been one of the crown jewels of scientific exploration at Cornell for more than 40 years. In that time, it has enabled countless discoveries and innovations and become a world leader in X-ray science research and education. The addition of our new High Magnetic Field beamline, supported by an inaugural Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure award from the National Science Foundation, will open new realms of exploration for CHESS and its partners. It would not have been possible without Sen. Schumer’s steadfast support for NSF as a whole — particularly through his critical leadership on the U.S. Innovation & Competition Act — and for CHESS in particular.”

The CHESS Lab’s research has played a pivotal role in a multitude of medical discoveries and scientific breakthroughs, including directly contributing to two Nobel Prizes. In addition to that announcement, Schumer highlighted his bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), which will make significant investments in federal research and development (R&D), STEM education and workforce training, entrepreneurship and domestic manufacturing, bolstering facilities like CHESS and communities like Ithaca and upstate New York, which have robust research and tech sectors.

Schumer added, “Now, more than ever, federal funding is needed to ensure that the U.S. stays ahead of our international competitors in the race to develop and build the next generation of high tech. If we do not invest now in research, workforce and manufacturing, we will be vulnerable to continued supply chain challenges that raise costs on working families and jeopardize U.S. jobs and national security.”

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/y52747wl. In this photo: State Assemblyperson Anna Kelles (left) and County Legislator Deborah Dawson (center) look on as Schumer speaks to press conference attendees.

 

Sustainable Tompkins puts sustainability on the map

The Sustainable Finger Lakes Map (shown above) created by Sustainable Tompkins provides a visual interface for people interested in learning more about the regional sustainability movement. People are coming together across our region to relocalize the economy, make our systems of local governance more just and democratic, and protect our land, air and water for future generations. The map currently has over 800 entries and allows visitors to quickly search eight main categories of sustainable living for local programs, businesses and activities. Regional businesses or groups are invited to put themselves on the map!

If they are working on some aspect of a more sustainable system, they can register online and submit a short description of their sustainability efforts and contact information. Submissions are reviewed on a weekly basis. With a shared goal to assure a future landscape in which all of us can thrive despite the many changes underway, community members are invited to help build this map of the sustainability and democracy movement in the Finger Lakes region. Residents can add what they are working on, plug in where they can make a difference and spread the word to share with others. Visit the map to discover the creative and the compassionate, the solidarity builders and the self-reliant, the pioneers and the protectors of a sustainable future.

Recent additions to the map include Lev Kitchen, Central New York Labor Federation, Food Policy Council of Tompkins County and Oxbow Farm. Located downtown on the Ithaca Commons, Lev Kitchen is one of Ithaca’s newest restaurants and features Yemeni flatbread called Malawach and the amalgamation of distinctive cuisines and cultures from countries such as Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Opened in March 2022, they aim to embrace business transparency, explore what it means to be a “sustainable” food service operator and support food security by donating 1% of all revenues to the World Food Program and their relief efforts around the world.

The Central New York Area Labor Federation represents over 100,000 members of 200 local unions in 11 central New York counties. Their mission is to improve the lives of working families, to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to New York and the nation. The Food Policy Council of Tompkins County is a non-governmental citizen advocacy council working for a more sustainable, equitable, healthy and affordable food system for Tompkins County. Their first initiative, Tompkins Food Future, is a two-year collaborative community project aiming to develop a county-wide food system plan. Oxbow Farm is a family-run produce farm located in Erin, New York, which is committed to growing a diverse array of crops with zero chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. They have been selling their produce at the Ithaca Farmers Market since 2010.

To learn more, contact the Sustainable Tompkins outreach coordinator via email at sarah@sustainabletompkins.org.

 

The Inn at Taughannock Falls welcomes new executive chef

Chef Clement “Clem” Coleman (above), the executive chef at Mirbeau Inn and Spa in Skaneateles, New York — where French influences and progressive, healthy lifestyles guided his menu — has departed Mirbeau for the top spot at the Inn at Taughannock Falls. Clem is the first of many talented kitchen staff the company has brought on, some from notable restaurants in Napa Valley, to join his dream team as he oversees the Inn at Taughannock Fall’s 140-seat restaurant, which will open five days, Thursday through Monday, this season. Additionally, the hotel’s new event venue, named “Enchantment,” is in full operation with weddings scheduled every weekend.

Another treat for guests visiting our neighboring State Park and waterfall are the culinary treats set to be served in the Black Diamond Express food truck, located on the hotel pathway to Taughannock Falls State Park’s Gorge Trail. A Philadelphia native, Clem was the owner/chef of the Rose and Kettle Restaurant in Cherry Valley, New York, for eight years. He then moved to Syracuse and worked for many years as the chef at Otro Cinco, the Spanish restaurant most famous for its paella and tapas menu. Clem has relocated to Trumansburg with his family. Clem is inspired lately by plant-based cuisine, the growth of fermentation as a practice in the industry and by the Finger Lakes Regions growing distillation culture.

 

Alexis Smullen joins Communique Design & Marketing

Communique Design & Marketing has announced that Alexis Smullen has joined the Ithaca-based marketing agency as marketing assistant and content coordinator. Smullen will assist with content ideation, client research and social media development in her role.

Communique founder and President Laurie Linn shared, “Alexis has been such a wonderful addition to our team. Her unique background and skill set combined with her positive attitude and strong worth ethic will enable Communique to continue to provide exceptional service to our clients and community.”

Smullen has a background in the education and medical fields and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2018. She previously worked with Cornell University, The Stepping Stones Group, LLC, and Zynex Medical. Smullen and her partner moved to the Ithaca area in 2020 with their two cats, Luna and Jasper.

“I am really grateful for the opportunity to join Communique. It has been a pleasure getting to know the team and our clients, and I look forward to getting fully immersed in all of the work Communique does,” Smullen said.

To learn more about Communique, visit communiquedesign.com.

 

Learning Web welcomes new executive director

Olan E. Mack (above) recently joined The Learning Web as executive director, effective April 11. Olan is from the Bronx and originally arrived in central New York to attend Syracuse University. His background includes varied experiences in politics, entrepreneurship and nonprofit management. Olan is an executive with more than 30 years of management experience in both the nonprofit and business communities. He has led several nonprofits in varied areas of human services including community centers and agencies providing a diverse array of services and advocacy.

His most recent leadership was on behalf of Chapel House in Auburn, New York. He is a builder of agency, partnerships and community coalitions to collectively address community needs. He is a versatile, transparent and effective leader dedicated to helping communities, families and individuals improve their circumstances through education, support and advocacy, with the ability to simultaneously grow agencies and services delivered.

Olan knows what it’s like to experience and overcome significant hardships such as unemployment, racism, food insecurity and housing vulnerability. He has used his lived experiences to make programs and services offered more accessible, relatable, nonjudgmental, outcome-based and focused on meeting clients where they are, educating and empowering them.

Olan enjoys several hobbies, including playing golf and riding motorcycles. He considers himself a novice foodie and enjoys a diverse selection of food establishments especially new ones that expand on his culinary experiences. Olan is looking forward to joining the Learning Web family and working in partnership with the staff, Board of Directors, community, funders and clients to provide enrichment, education, options, advocacy and opportunities to Ithaca and Tompkins County youth.

 

Spring Writes Literary Festival returns next month

It’s time once again for the Community Arts Partnership’s annual Spring Writes Literary Festival! Now in its 14th year, the festival includes over 40 free literary-themed events, both live in downtown Ithaca and on Zoom. Over 100 local and regional writers are participating (some of them shown left). Events start on May 5 and run through May 21, with writing workshops continuing through early June. Additional literary-themed community events are folded into the schedule as well. The Spring Writes event line-up was created by invitation and juried from an open call for proposals. There is a groundswell of writers who wish to participate, to help plan and organize events and to get even more writers on board.

The festival got its start in 2009 from an invitation to the Community Arts Partnership (CAP) from the New York State Council on the Arts to create programming designed to shine a light on the abundance of literary talent in our region and to bring writers and audiences together. Since then, it has grown from 12 events that first year to over 40. In 2020 and 2021, Spring Writes was 100% virtual, which had the benefit of introducing the festival to audiences across the country.

“Our audience tripled,” said Robin Schwartz, CAP program director. “This year, we’ll continue with half Zoom events and half live events, many live-streamed. Writers often work in isolation, so the excitement generated by bringing the writing community together with each other and audiences is palpable. There is an excitement at these events, which is definitely enhanced by people craving not only excellent literary programming but also community connections.”

A 2021 attendee wrote, “This was my first year attending (Zoom) Spring Writes events, and I was completely unprepared for how powerful an experience it would be. We are so fortunate that we have such amazing artists in our community that so generously share their stories and their expertise!”

There will be plenty of readings that include an open mic for poetry and prose, multiple thematic readings by established authors, performative readings, local teens sharing their stories of survival during a pandemic, a motherhood comedy showcase, afrofuturist speculative poetry readings and more. There’s a zine celebration, an “Inside Black Feminist Alchemy” lecture and panel discussions that include subjects like the path to a first book, overcoming your inner critic, finding inspiration, creating communities through art and writing about mental illness.
To find the full schedule, writer bios and registration links for Zoom events, visit springwrites.org.

 

Ithaca College names provost, dean of humanities and sciences

Ithaca College President La Jerne Terry Cornish announced late last month appointments for two academic leadership positions at the college. She has named Melanie Stein (left) as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and, in consultation with Cornish, Stein has named Claire Gleitman (right) as dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences. Both had been serving in interim roles since Aug. 30, 2021. Cornish said that as interim provost over this past year, Stein has demonstrated the leadership qualities and values essential to advancing the college’s academic enterprise.

“I am confident that Ithaca College will benefit from her continued service on behalf of our faculty and our students,” Cornish said. “Her experiences as an administrator, a scholar and an educator in the classroom make her well-suited to lead the ongoing implementation of the Ithaca Forever strategic plan and to guide our academic community through the next phase of its evolution.”

A native Ithacan, Stein came to Ithaca College in 2019 as dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences and professor of mathematics after serving for the previous three years as dean of academic affairs at Trinity College in Connecticut. She had also served as interim dean of faculty, associate academic dean and chair of the math department at Trinity. She holds an bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Harvard College and a master’s and Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University.

“During my time at the college, I have been continually impressed by the quality of our amazing faculty, our dedicated staff, and our engaged students,” Stein said. “I look forward to partnering with President Cornish to guide us into our bright future. Claire has done a terrific job in the role of interim dean of humanities and sciences this year, and I look forward to continuing our work together as part of an academic leadership team with all five deans appointed.”

Gleitman took on the role of interim dean after nearly three decades of teaching, scholarship and service to the school’s Department of Literatures in English, which she chaired for nine years. Gleitman earned a faculty excellence award in 2007 and again in 2017 and served as president of the H&S Faculty Senate for six one-year terms. A co-founder of the college’s On the Verge play-reading series, her research interests focus primarily on modern drama, and she is the author of the forthcoming book “Anxious Masculinity in Arthur Miller’s Drama and Beyond: Salesmen, Sluggers and Big Daddies” (Bloomsbury Press). She earned her Ph.D. and master’s from New York University and her bachelor’s from Wesleyan University.

“I have considered it an honor to serve in leadership roles within the liberal arts core of Ithaca College,” Gleitman said. “I look forward to continuing to support H&S faculty and students in the innovative, collaborative, creative work that they do, inside and outside of the classroom; in seminars, performance spaces, lecture halls, internships, and labs, as they demonstrate the urgent importance of the liberal arts to imagining a better future for all citizens of our troubled world.”

The college is currently conducting searches for deans of the School of Business, Roy H. Park School of Communications, and School of Music, Theatre and Dance.