While several iconic buildings on campus have been illuminated with green light during the evenings in honor of Veterans Day, the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) at the Dan and Gayle D’Aniello Building has been recognized for being green in an entirely different way. Last week, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recognized Syracuse University for the NVRC at its 2022 Upstate Leadership Awards Gala with the presentation of the Judge’s Choice Award.
The USGBC is a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in building design, construction and operation. Its awards, given at events held in different regions throughout the country, honor excellence in high-performance and healthy buildings, environmental stewardship and community impact. The organization also sets the criteria for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications, which aims to help building owners and operations be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.
The NVRC holds a LEED Gold certification, which isn’t given based upon any one criterion but instead looks at the larger picture, taking into account how the building is operated to reduce contribution to global climate change, enhance individual human health and enhance community quality of life, among other things.
“The NVRC is the most ADA accessible building on campus, one that will serve many generations of veterans in the years ahead,” says retired U.S. Army Col. Ron Novack, executive director for the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, who also helped project manage the NVRC. “Looking forward, you’re going to see more and more green buildings on university campuses, so a lot of time and energy went into making sure the NVRC, from its design through the construction process and now its daily operation, took that to heart. We’re very appreciative of this recognition and I’m honored to be able to receive the award on behalf of Syracuse University.”
The NVRC is the central point for all things military and veteran related on campus. It also serves as an important link to local organizations that provide services for veterans and military families in the region. Designed by SHoP Architects, also recognized individually by the USGBC for their work on the NVRC, the building is the first to be constructed as part of Syracuse University’s Campus Framework.
To learn more about the NVRC and its tenants, visit the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs website.
