The Levenick Resident Scholars in Sustainability Leadership Program was funded by a generous endowment in early 2019 from U. of I. Alumnus Stuart Levenick and wife Nancy Levenick of Naples, Fla., to iSEE and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES). It was created to bring in experts from other universities, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations to share fresh perspectives and innovations with the Illinois community.
With backgrounds from a variety of disciplines, Resident Scholars enhance and accelerate the broader impact of sustainability research and innovation. Mike Ward, Levenick Professor of Sustainability, appointed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES), chairs the program, helping “close the circle” on sustainability efforts already established among the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, iSEE, and NRES.
“This campus will become a destination for worldwide sustainability experts — offering them creative opportunities and exposing faculty, students, and staff on our campus to real-time sustainability solutions from across the globe,” iSEE Director Madhu Khanna said.