A significant endowment of $55 million has been awarded to Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). This funding will establish the Cornell CALS Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment. The new school merges the Department of Global Development and the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.
Historic Endowment Details
The school is named in honor of Stephen B. Ashley, an alumnus from the class of 1962 who also earned his MBA in 1964. This generous gift represents the largest endowment in the history of CALS. “Steve Ashley’s impact on Cornell has been transformative,” stated President Michael I. Kotlikoff.
Ashley’s Contributions to Cornell
- Ashley has served Cornell for over 55 years.
- He participated for 16 years on the Cornell Board of Trustees.
- He was co-chair of the Far Above capital campaign for 10 years.
- Ashley received the Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award in 2016.
Ashley, who leads The Ashley Companies in Rochester, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to support this vital initiative. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among agriculture, environmental science, and economics.
The Vision for the Ashley School
The formation of the Ashley School is guided by a desire to integrate teaching and research across disciplines. Benjamin Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of CALS, noted that this school aims to foster innovation and address global challenges effectively. “This is essential for sustainable development,” Houlton added.
Leadership and Goals
Rich Stedman has been appointed as the interim director of the Ashley School. He will lead efforts to engage faculty, staff, and students as the new structure is implemented. The school seeks to tackle pressing global issues, including:
- Food security
- Biodiversity loss
- Climate change
- War-induced migrations
- Natural disasters
Academic Programs and Future Plans
The Ashley School will continue to offer its existing undergraduate degrees, minors, master’s programs, and Ph.D. degrees without affecting currently enrolled students. However, there are plans to consider future academic offerings in collaboration with faculty.
CALS aims to recruit at least 10 additional faculty members, with a focus on areas such as agricultural and environmental economics. These new roles will enhance CALS’s partnerships and research capabilities.
Partnerships and Community Impact
The new school strengthens CALS’ collaboration with the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. Houlton emphasized the commitment of students and faculty to address significant sustainability challenges, aiming to create a positive impact on local and global communities.
