“We are fortunate to attract such a world-class professional
to FAMU to lead the institute,” Mangum said. “I’m encouraged by what lies ahead
because of Ms. Ojetayo."
Ojetayo, who also hold the title of “chief sustainability
officer” is a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) accredited
professional, and was named among the “10 New Faces of Civil Engineering for
2013” by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which highlighted her
as one of the industry’s next leaders.
“I am honored to join FAMU during such a transformative
phase, which allows us the opportunity to align cross-disciplinary research,
teaching and campus operations to create a model 21st century institution,”
Ojetayo said. “As a historic land-grant institution with solid agricultural
expertise and a public service mission, FAMU is positioned to be at the
forefront of investigating, teaching and applying solutions to the global
insecurities we are seeing in the energy, water, and food economies. I am looking
forward to working with faculty, staff, and students in this great initiative
for our campus and community.”
She has researched and worked in various countries,
including working as an energy and infrastructure planner in Greece and
managing an interdisciplinary team of engineers, architects, and urban
designers to master plan a model sustainable city in Nigeria – Anam City, which
was recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative as a promising approach to
international sustainable development.
In her most recent position, Ojetayo worked in Cornell’s
energy and environmental engineering section of facilities services and helped
manage its alternative energy and green building design scope for its new Tech
Campus.
The FAMU-SI leadership team will also include College of
Agriculture and Food Sciences Professor Odemari Mbuya, who will serve as
faculty director, and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Professor Clayton Clark,
who will serve as associate faculty director. Together, the team will mobilize
faculty in cross-disciplinary research and help transform the campus
environment into a living-learning laboratory for students and the broader
community.
According to K. Ken Redda, vice president for research, the
implementation of the institute and Ojetayo’s expertise will be a welcomed
addition to the groundbreaking research community at FAMU.
“This institute is a strong representation of the
university’s research capabilities,” Redda said. “FAMU has a long history of
conducting research that has impacted the region, nation, and the world in
remarkable ways. This institute will not only expand our impact, but will
continue to position FAMU as a leader in sustainability research.”
The institute is already preparing to make a global impact,
as it has joined forces with FAMU’s School of the Environment and the City of
Tallahassee to host the International Summit on Energy-Water-Food Nexus on
March 26-28, 2015 at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. The summit will
serve to promote and recommend practical and innovative solutions to the global
crisis surrounding energy, water, and food.
The summit will be chaired by Victor Ibeanusi, dean of the
School of the Environment.
“This is not just a conference, it is a summit with tangible
practical industry solutions and outcomes,” said Ibeanusi. “This summit will
empower this generation and generations to come to be innovative contributors
to creating and adopting solutions that will serve as a much needed answer to
our global needs regarding the energy, water, and food crisis.”
Tallahassee Mayor John Marks applauded FAMU for its efforts.
“The City of Tallahassee commends FAMU for its dedication to
sustainability and is proud to partner with this outstanding institution in
hosting the Summit on Energy-Water-Food Nexus,” said Marks. “As an
award-winning utility provider and internationally recognized leader in
sustainability, the City of Tallahassee knows firsthand the importance of the
institute and the summit and the need for our community to be a part of the
ongoing global dialogue.”
Earlier this year, FAMU was named among the “Top 10
Greenest” HBCUs in the nation by the
Building Green Initiative and was previously recognized by the Princeton Review
for its commitment to sustainability in its academic offerings, campus
infrastructure, activities, and career preparation.