Skyline College assistant professor is one of the winners of the 14th Annual Sustainability and Green Building Award on Jan. 11.
Bruce Greenstein, recipient of the award, is an assistant professor in the newly renamed Energy System Technology Management (formally known as the Environmental Science & Technology) at Skyline College.
“The Awards Committee was very impressed by the nominator’s enthusiasm for Professor Greenstein,” said Adrienne Etherton SSMC Executive Director. “We are proud to honor Bruce Greenstein for helping create the next generation of building scientists.”
The award was part of Sustainable San Mateo County’s (SSMC) drive to ensure long-term health of the county’s economy, environment, and social equity. SSMC was established in 1992 by a group of San Mateo County citizens who wanted to create a broader awareness of the environment. Currently SSMC is an independent public benefit corporation dedicated to educating the community about sustainability.
“I nominated Bruce Greenstein for the SSMC Green and Sustainability Award for 2013 because of his commitment to helping educate the future building scientists, and to leaving the environment a more sustainable…place for all,” Chris Wolken a Skyline student wrote in an email. “His dedication is evident by his building of the Building Performance Test House at Skyline which has created a place for the continued learning, testing, sharing, and expansion of knowledge to occur. I am very pleased and a well-deserved award.”
“He’s a frantic teacher” said Aaron Wilcher, Faculty Project Coordinator, Green & Sustainable Program, and Energy System Technology Management.
Greenstein was given the award in recognition in creating the Solar & Building Science Learning Center in the Pacific Height Building at Skyline College, where students receive training and education allowing them to increase the numbers of green economy workforce, improving the community quality of life.
The creation of the Solar & Building Science Learning Center and the Building Performance Test House within the Pacifica Height Building, also lead to the development of the Energy Systems Technology Management (ESTM) which is aimed at providing courses for students to obtain a better understanding of the environmental issues that are affecting the world around them.
“The clubs fully supports the effects of Professor Greenstein and are proud of his receiving the award,” wrote new club president of the Skyline Go Green Environmental Club Deanna Badong in an email, in support of Assistant Professor Greenstein.
The 14th Annual Sustainability and Green Building Award was held in memory of former board chair Ruth Peterson and longtime supporter of the organization, who passed away last June. The SSMC recognizes businesses, community groups, city programs, and individuals, within the country, that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to improving sustainable practices.
Greenstein wasn’t the only winner of the 14th Annual Sustainability and Green Building Award, a number of other individuals and groups also won awards. Rosalyn Koo, activity life-long volunteer and social activist, won the Ruth Peterson Award, while Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT), Sonrisas Community Dental Center, and Recology San Mateo County also won the 2013 Sustainability Award, one of two categories in the annual awards.
The other category is the Green Building Award with the winners been Shoreway Environmental Center and MidPen Housing, who both won theirs for work in the community, within San Mateo District.
Reception and silent auction are will be taking at place 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards presentation at 6:45 p.m. on Mar. 21 at the South San Francisco Conference Center. State Senator Jerry Hill will be present and hosting the silence auditions at 5:30 p.m before and after the dinner. In addition, Redwood City School Board of Trustee Shelly Masur will also be to lead the evening as videos highlighting the individual winner’s accomplishment.
The theme of the Mar. 21 event will be Education — The Root of Sustainability, in celebration of the significance of educating and creating sustainable citizens and communities in today environment.
“Our recipients and all the nominees display the passion and dedication to the community that we’ve come to expect over the years. We look forward to sharing their inspiring stories,” said Adrienne Etherton, SSMC Executive Director in a press release earlier this year.
This article has been updated to accurately reflect newly developed information 2/14/2013 11:50 p.m.