University of Dayton Announces $12.5 Million Gift for Sustainability Education Institute

DAYTON, Ohio, Sept. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The George and Amanda Hanley Foundation has made a $12.5 million gift to the University of Dayton to establish an institute focused on sustainability education, the University announced Friday, Sept. 19, 2014.

"At many universities, sustainability education is focused solely on the environmental sciences," said University President Daniel J. Curran. "This gift will extend sustainability education across multiple disciplines, creating innovative learning opportunities for undergraduates and graduates, enhancing faculty and student research while expanding community and corporate partnerships and experiential education."

Through the Hanley Sustainability Institute, current sustainability programs will be integrated into graduate and undergraduate curricula to prepare students for growing demand in the workplace, as well as for civic leadership on sustainability issues.

"It is our intent with this gift to allow students and faculty throughout the University to think creatively about how to put their knowledge to work in real-world projects that extend learning beyond the classroom," said George Hanley, a 1977 University of Dayton business graduate and trustee.

Added Amanda Hanley: "This innovative, collaborative institute will uniquely bring together students and faculty from science, business, engineering, law, art, journalism and other areas to address environmental and social justice challenges. We are thrilled with UD's national leadership and hope one day interdisciplinary sustainability education will run deep at every university."

During his more than 35 years in the trading business, George Hanley is best known for founding Chicago-based Hanley Group, which was acquired by INTL FC Stone, and for his membership at the Chicago Board of Trade and Chicago Mercantile exchange, now CME Group. He presently serves as a co-founder and principal of Level 5 Trading. Amanda Hanley is a strong advocate of environmental protection and innovative ideas for a healthier planet, people and economy and has been working toward sustainable solutions for more than 25 years.

Founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary, the University of Dayton is a top-10 Catholic university and the largest private university in Ohio. It is a member of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment and listed in The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges.

For more on the announcement, visit http://udayton.co/BPa.

SOURCE University of Dayton