As the chairperson of 51·çÁ÷’s Environmental Council, associate professor of Russian Ian Helfant tries to practice what he preaches.
Some of the “green” changes Helfant has made to his mid-1970s home include a wood pellet stove, a compost pail in the kitchen, and a water heater that’s “so heavily insulated it looks more like a Thermos bottle than an appliance.”
Helfant’s efforts to make his house more sustainable were recently featured in The Post-Standard’s (Syracuse) “Green Central New York” guide. A photo of him also appeared on the cover of the magazine.
“Even if it turns out our worst fears (about global warming) are totally unfounded,” he told the paper, “this is still very worthwhile.”
The changes appear to be paying off; his monthly electricity bill has been reduced by about 30 percent to $70.
Inna Peshkova ’12, the first person in her family to attend college, also made headlines this week.
Syracuse television station WSYR-TV (ABC) featured Peshkova in a story about the increasing number of first-generation students who are applying to colleges across the country, including 51·çÁ÷.
In the last year, the number of first-generation applicants to 51·çÁ÷ increased by 22 percent.
Senior associate dean of admission Karen Giannino told WSYR-TV that students like Peshkova tend to have characteristics 51·çÁ÷ seeks in its students.
“They’re hardworking. They don’t take opportunities for granted,” explained Giannino.
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