Eric and Karen Smith Simon ’95 are helping Ithaca College power forward with its sustainability mission—quietly, boldly, and with a vision rooted in pragmatic impact. Their establishment of the Ithaca College Fund for a Sustainable Future is already driving innovation in classrooms, operations, and across campus culture.
Rather than seek recognition, the Simons say their goal is to empower IC to lead with purpose. “This is pragmatic sustainability,” said Eric Simon. “It’s not sustainability just for the sake of the buzzword.”
Created in 2024, the fund is designed to fuel flexibility—supporting not just existing programs but opening the door to new, campus-wide sustainability initiatives. Managed by the President’s Office, the Provost, the CFO, and the Office of Energy Management and Sustainability, the fund reflects a commitment that transcends departments and infuses sustainability into both academic and operational life.
The Simons were motivated in part by the leadership of Scott Doyle ’98, director of energy management and sustainability. “Scott has built a comprehensive plan that’s a living document that can change as needed,” said Eric. “It’s smart.”
Already, that plan is producing results. Nearly 80% of IC’s academic departments offer sustainability-related courses, and a new Education for a Sustainable Future grant program is extending that reach. Four faculty members will receive stipends to embed sustainability into their curriculum for the 2025–26 academic year and beyond.
Provost Melanie Stein sees the move as essential. “By embedding sustainability into the curriculum, we’re not just preparing [students] for jobs, we’re preparing them to lead,” she said.
Outside the classroom, IC is exploring innovations such as a reusable container system for campus dining—a practical way to cut down on single-use packaging—and reuse strategies for theatre props and furniture. As Doyle put it, “Real progress in sustainability happens when we cross boundaries.”
Visibility is another frontier. Though IC’s campus runs on 100% renewable energy—thanks in part to a solar farm in Geneva—Eric Simon noted that much of the work remains under the radar. The fund will help amplify success stories through videos and on-campus campaigns, in partnership with communications faculty and students.
“There’s such an opportunity for the college to actively express its values,” said Karen Simon. “The college cares about sustainability. The town cares about it. The students definitely care about it. So talk about it.”
That includes new ideas like a sustainability trail to showcase green building features, EV chargers, and stormwater systems across campus. Doyle’s goal is to make sustainability visible, experiential, and proudly part of IC’s identity.
Vice President for Advancement Laine Norton sees the Simons’ gift as a template for values-driven philanthropy. “Know what you care about, invest in what you care about, and watch the results,” Norton said.
Karen Simon echoed the power of early influence. “In 1991, when I arrived on campus, I got my first reusable coffee cup,” she recalled. “What’s the next reusable coffee cup? There’s no reason it shouldn’t come from Ithaca College.”
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