SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

John C. “Jack” Mascaro (ENGR ’66, ’80G), at left, founder and CEO of Mascaro Construction Co. LP, was presented with a medallion in honor of his extensive contributions to the School of Engineering’s Mascaro Sustainability Initiative (MSI). The medal, made of lead-free “green” steel developed by Pitt engineering faculty members Anthony J. DeArdo and Isaac Garcia, was presented by Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg (above right) and U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering Gerald D. Holder during an Oct. 3 reception celebrating the completion of the newly renovated MSI office suite in 1140 Benedum Hall and the arrival of the first class of students recruited to participate in Pitt’s $3.2 million National Science Foundation-funded Integrated Graduate Education and Research Training Program.

The MSI suite makes use of many environmentally friendly innovations, including non-PVC carpet backing, low-volatile organic compound paints, and a lighting system that will reduce energy use by more than 75 percent from the previous system.

“For many years many of us embraced the slogan made famous by Kermit the Frog – that ‘it’s not easy being green,” said Nordenberg. “More recently, though, enlightened professionals like Jack Mascaro have elevated our sense of the benefits of ‘green construction,’ and today we gather to celebrate the completion of another ‘green’ space here at Pitt.”