Honoring Innovation

The Resource Development Office presented the 2010 Grants Excellence Award at its Spring Recognition Luncheon to Ronald Dulceak, Chief Engineering Manager; Scott Engel, Director of Business Affairs; Scott Fotre, Energy Manager; Rick Mohammed, Recycling Program Supervisor; Ellen Roberts, Staff Services Manager; and John Wandolowski, Director of Facilities, Operations and Maintenance in recognition of $329,405 in grant funding awarded during 2009-2010 to implement state-of-the-art energy saving and recycling technologies that will raise the environmental quality at College of DuPage. Also pictured is Tom Glaser, Vice President of Financial Affairs and Treasurer.




The COD Recycling Program received a $59,315 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to expand the College’s recycling program in five campus buildings.

The grant, coupled with matching funds from the COD’s Facilities Master Plan, enabled the purchase of 149 top-quality 24-gallon stainless steel recycling containers for hallways and break rooms in the Technical Education Center and the Health and Science Center. Campus-wide recycling efforts in 2008 netted nearly 193 tons of metal, glass, paper, cardboard and other materials. “The purchase allows the College to expand on what we’ve been doing since 1989,” said Rick Mohammed. “At the beginning of every school year, we try to get the information out to students so they know where and how to recycle.”
Mohammed estimates those numbers will nearly double with all of the new containers in place.

Four state-of-the-art chillers were installed in the Berg Instructional Center, representing one of the most energy-efficient chiller systems in the state of Illinois. The $4 million project included a $60,090 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which included funds for energy efficient lighting upgrades in the area where the chillers are located.

The Grumman/Butkus design won the 2009 Technology Award from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, recognizing innovation of efficient energy use in buildings and environmental system performance. A significant benefit is the reduction of electrical consumption by 300,000 kilowatt hours, for a savings of more than $400,000 per year. Another benefit is the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 50.2% per year that is the equivalent of taking 923 cars off the road.

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation awarded a $100,000 grant to support renovations to the Berg Instructional Center, Student Resource Center, and College Center.

The grant will enable progress toward US Green Building Council LEED Silver Certification that will assure energy efficient features are incorporated into building design and engineering plans. LEED certification is a nationally recognized benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

Through a $110,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, light emitting diodes (LEDs) will be installed as primary lighting in the buildings’ high-profile public areas such as student lounges, snack bars, toilet rooms, building entries, corridors and reception areas.

LED lighting fixtures will also be installed as supplemental accent lighting in classrooms and conference rooms. Energy savings ranging from $14,000 to $23,000 per year will be realized as the College replaces 1,428 light fixtures with those containing LEDs. According to Scott Fotre, “Operating cost savings will also be realized because the new (LED) lamps have a longer life expectancy of 50,000 hours opposed to 30,000 hours.” The LED system implementation will contribute toward COD’s target of a Silver rating under the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. With the potential to have the largest number of LEED certified buildings in the area, there are also educational opportunities for COD and the community.

 

About the Project Directors

Ronald Dulceak of North Aurora has worked at College of DuPage since 2008. In his role, he oversees capital project budgets over $7 million, manages architects to develop plans from schematic design to construction, and guides contractors and construction meetings for individual projects.

Scott Engel of Wheaton joined College of DuPage in 1983 as a Buyer and moved to the position of Purchasing Manager. Half of his career has been in the position of Director of Business Affairs with responsibilities in the areas of Purchasing, Conference and Events, Bookstore, Dining Services, and Staff Services including Recycling. His major COD duties are procurement and auxiliary support services. According to Engel, “The Recycling Program at College of DuPage has historically served as a model to promote environmental stewardship and we are very proud of the efforts from all staff involved in supporting recycling efforts at the College.”

Scott Fotre of Lisle joined College of DuPage in 2009. When he first arrived, Fotre redefined how COD perceives its energy consumption. Among other activities, the energy procurement process was defined and RFPs (Request for Proposals) were developed for both electric and natural gas energy procurement for the College. Savings during fiscal years 2009 and 2010 are approaching $3 million. According to Fotre, “Working with the Grants Office has given me the opportunity to pursue funding for project initiatives not available in the past. Like Energy Management, funding from the grants process promotes forward thinking of the College not only to our students but to the community we serve.”

Rick Mohammed of Romeoville directs the daily collection, delivery and processing of solid waste and recyclables. He is responsible for training current and new employees in collection and processing procedures. He has worked at College of DuPage for nearly 25 years.

Ellen Roberts of Naperville has worked at College of DuPage since 2008. In her position as Staff Services Manager, she has responsibility for the following areas: Recycling, Faculty/Staff Support Center, Copy Center, Print Shop, Signage, Mail Services, and the Warehouse. Before coming to COD, she had extensive managerial experience in a progressive Fortune 500 organization.

John Wandolowski of Wheaton has worked at College of DuPage since 2008. In his role, he oversees the College's comprehensive Facilities Master Plan as well as the day-to-day operations of the College's facilities, including buildings, grounds, custodians and engineers. Wandolowski previously served as senior facility director at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.

 

To learn more about College of DuPage project directors honored in FY2010, read the Honoring Innovation Grants Recognition Luncheon booklet (758KB PDF File).


View FY2009 booklet (1.5MB PDF File)
View FY2008 booklet (2MB PDF File)
View FY2007 booklet (992KB PDF File)
View FY2006 booklet (700KB PDF File)