Dr. Robert A. Macoskey was a man of deep insight and uncommon charisma. He was a Slippery Rock University philosophy professor, pastor, father, husband, mentor, and friend. Moreover, he had an intensely practical way of putting ideas into action. He had a dream to develop a “…project in which people from all walks of life and all ages could begin to work out the dynamics of the ‘new’ story.” This new story was that people would be a part of a community and work toward a “…healthier and more self-sustaining style of life” for not only themselves but also for future generations. In 1980, Dr. Macoskey submitted an official proposal for this project.
Shortly thereafter, he challenged SRU students, faculty, staff, and community members to become a part of this dream through the ALTER (Alternative Living Technology & Energy Research) project. However, the ALTER project needed a place to grow and flourish. Therefore, throughout the next ten years, they located and planned the creation of a sustainability learning, demonstration, and research center on about 83-acres of land owned by SRU. During this time, the ALTER Project began implementing Dr. Macoskey’s vision by retrofitting the Patterson Family House, which was originally built in the 1920’s. This house, affectionately called the Harmony House, went through several renovations to eventually become LEED-certified silver.
Also, during this time, a proposal for a new academic program at SRU called the Masters of Science in Sustainable Systems (MS3) was submitted jointly by SRU’s Department of Parks and Environmental Education and The Advisory Council of the ALTER Project. The MS3 program was created to prepare students to face the pressing environmental challenges of the future by considering sustainability as the underlying framework for action. There were three tracks of study in the program including: Agroecology/Permaculture, the Built Environment, and Sustainable Resource Management. This academic program would help to propel forward and ground Dr. Macoskey’s original vision and invite others to become a part of it.
The Macoskey Center for Sustainability Education & Research (MC) was then officially opened to the public on April 22, 1990 (Earth Day) and, at that time, was named The Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education & Research (a.k.a. RAMC). This also established the MC’s first Earth Day celebration (a.k.a. Earth Fest). Unfortunately, shortly after the RAMC’s opening, Dr. Robert A. Macoskey passed away on May 7, 1990.
However, the momentum was built, and the torch was passed as the MS3 program offered its first courses in the Fall of 1990 at the MC. Throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s, the MS3 program continued to grow as did the MC’s sustainable demonstration projects, systems, and educational offerings. Some of these include:
- 1990: The installation of a Clivus Multrum (composting toilet).
- 1991: 1.68 KW PV array installed (currently behind greenhouse)
- 1992-1996: The building of the Harmony Barn using straw bale construction as Christopher Leininger’s MS3 thesis project.
- 1992-1996: Construction of the Field Equipment Shed (FES) that is now an Outdoor Classroom Space.
- 1997: Community Garden shed is established.
- 1999: Thomas Reynolds serves as Director of RAMC until 2012, Green & Blue Interpretive Trails are constructed and completed.
- 2002: First Slippery Rock Farmer’s Market, the Macoskey Center helped to establish and organize this.
- 2003: SRU and Butler County receive a grant from DEP for a two-year study by MS3 graduate assistants in which “the County will develop a food waste composting program at SRU”. This will include establishing source separation programs in dining halls and evaluating the university composting site [at MC].”
- 2003-2004: The Springhouse with a living roof is constructed.
- 2004: Wetland is constructed east of the Harmony House for greywater treatment.
- 2006: MC’s first standalone greenhouse is constructed.
- 2007: 2.5 KW, grid-tied photovoltaic solar array is installed (next to chicken coop).
- 2008-2011: 3rd major renovation of Harmony House and LEED-certification silver is achieved.
- 2009: Current MC woodstove is installed.
- 2009-2010: Geothermal heating and cooling system installed.
- 2012: Final classes of MS3 program held at MC and MS3 program is no longer continued.
In more recent history, various SRU employees served as Part-Time Directors from 2013-2016, such as Christine Glenn and Fran Bires, and proudly continued the tradition of the MC being a site for sustainability education and demonstration. The tradition of an annual Earth Fest celebration also continued. Then, in the Spring of 2017, Dr. Shawn Davis and Dr. Rebecca Thomas from SRU’s Park & Resource Management Department served as Programmatic Co-Directors for the MC and began to tie their PRM curriculum into the fabric of the center. During this time, Mary Ann King, who had been involved with the MC since its founding led the facilities management and continued to supervise graduate assistants at the MC. Then, in the early spring semester of 2019, Samantha (Sami) Bortz was hired as Part-Time Director of the MC. She then transitioned into being the full-time Director of the MC in the Spring of 2020 and has continued through today!
