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Messiah College News Releases

Messiah College dedicates solar energy system in memory of Clifford L. Jones

September 22nd, 2008

GRANTHAM, Pa. (Sept. 22, 2008) — A new solar energy system, the latest example of Messiah College’s educational and conservational commitment to sustainable energy, will be dedicated in memory of Clifford L. Jones on Sept. 23 at 2:15 p.m. The open-air Clifford L. Jones Solar Scholars Pavilion, located southeast of Frey Hall academic building, was funded by a grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) of Central-Eastern Pa. and contributions from local businesses and contractors. The structure will serve as an educational lab for Messiah College students as well as more than 7,500 elementary school children who visit the on-campus Oakes Museum each year. The solar structure also includes four photovoltaic arrays which will generate three kilowatts of power, enough to offset the utility usage of a computer lab in Frey Hall.

Media are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the Clifford L. Jones Solar Scholars Pavilion. Spokespersons will be available, including Messiah College student Dean Eastlake and faculty project advisor Steve Frank; Carole Jones, widow of Clifford Jones; and representatives from Gannett Fleming and Wohlsen Construction who donated materials and labor to the design and construction of the structure.

A student team within Messiah’s Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research designed and constructed the solar energy systems showcased at the pavilion in partnership with the college’s department of engineering. The pavilion itself is built of 100 percent sustainable resources, including a green roof, recycled materials, and regionally manufactured materials. Gannett Fleming designed the pavilion and Wohlsen Construction Company managed the construction in partnership with the Collaboratory. The Collaboratory partners with organizations, businesses and communities for projects that serve disadvantaged people and care for the earth.

The pavilion is named for Clifford L. Jones, an adjunct faculty member at Messiah College, who mentored countless interns and graduates and established a scholarship fund for students interning in central Pennsylvania. In addition to his long-standing relationship with the College, Jones’ was personally interested in birding and environmental stewardship.

Messiah College was initially chosen as one of the first six pilot colleges and universities in the state to receive a grant through the SEF, a non-profit, private organization dedicated to renewable energy, clean energy technologies, energy conservation and education, to have solar systems installed on campus. Through the Solar Scholars™ program, SEF hopes Pennsylvania emerges as the national leader in renewable energy generation, education, and technology by creating meaningful benefits that support the environment, economic landscape, community energy footprint and quality of life throughout the state and beyond.

Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls more than 2,800 undergraduate students in more than 60 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.

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