Rensselaer Magazine, March 2002: Making a Difference

Photo by Mark McCarty

A Noble Cause

In December, Rensselaer announced a $7 million gift from New York philanthropist Morris “Marty” Silverman to accelerate biotechnology research in the Capital Region. Silverman’s gift will be matched by an additional $7 million from Rensselaer and will create the Noble Enterprise Constellation, a group of distinguished senior and junior faculty in biotechnology research. Research excellence and the creation of faculty constellations in key areas of information technology and biotechnology are cornerstones of the Rensselaer Plan.

Silverman, a Troy native, has been instrumental in transforming the Capital Region into a pacesetter in law, science, medicine, and higher education. In making this gift, Silverman’s objective is to ensure the region’s position in these areas and to take it to the next level.

“The Noble Enterprise Constellation is a great opportunity to build capacity in this critical area. It is imperative that we provide the resources to bring to life our vision for research excellence,” says Silverman. “Through the Noble Enterprise Constellation, world-class faculty and scientific researchers will find answers to great problems in human health and will bring international recognition to the Capital Region’s leadership in biotechnology. The flame we light will ignite progress into the 22nd century.”

Ultimately, Silverman’s objective is “to provide our children a better place to live, a place to which they will want to return and where they will make their fortunes.”

It is intended that Noble Enterprise Constellation faculty will hold joint appointments at the Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health, and that their work in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering will add impetus to the newly formed Capital Region Biotechnology Consortium, whose membership includes Rensselaer, the Wadsworth Center, Albany Medical Center, and the University at Albany. Scientific research in these fields now focuses on the understanding of basic molecular and cellular processes leading to the replacement of full functionality of tissues, even for complex organs such as the liver, pancreas, and cardiovascular systems.

Celebrating collaboration: President Jackson presented GM’s Rick Wagoner and Larry Burns (l-r) with a plaque recognizing the long-standing partnership between Rensselaer and General Motors. (Photo by Lee Short)

A Working Partnership

Last October, President Shirley Ann Jackson and key Rensselaer leaders participated in “Partnership Day” at General Motors Corporation (GM) in Detroit, Mich. Rick Wagoner, president and chief executive officer of General Motors, Larry Burns, vice president of General Motors research and development and planning, and Joe Joseph, dean of engineering at General Motors University and director of the GM Knowledge Center, along with other key GM leaders, participated in the event.

President Jackson recognized the outstanding partnership between Rensselaer and General Motors. “Strategic partnerships in education and research—among colleagues at national and international universities and in governmental and corporate research laboratories—are absolutely essential to the future of Rensselaer, to the future of corporations like General Motors, and indeed, to the global economy,” she said.

GM’s support of Rensselaer is long-standing. Rensselaer and the GM Technical Education Program have partnered to deliver award-winning distance education. In fact, March 2001 marked the graduation of the 10th Rensselaer class from the Technical Education Program, with 131 GM employees at 18 sites earning a Master of Science in Engineering Science degree from Rensselaer. In 2001, General Motors also selected Rensselaer to provide a new M.S. in Management for its employees.

“Leadership in technology innovation is an integral component of General Motors’ intent to be the industry leader in product and design innovation,” says Burns. “The M.S. in Engineering Science and the M.S. in Management are helping GM to support the important people who are at the foundation of our leadership in innovation.”

Collaboration in education for working professionals is only one aspect of General Motors’ extensive relationship with and support of Rensselaer. GM led a consortium of corporate donors in contributing workstations and software to support computer-assisted design, manufacture, and engineering. The company also is a consistent supporter of scholarship and research through the General Motors Foundation. At the event, Jim Gutting, director of safety regulations and consumer information and key executive for Rensselaer relations, and Tom Thivierge, director of talent acquisition, awarded Rensselaer a General Motors Foundation Grant Award of $50,000.

Rensselaer Magazine: March 2002
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