Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Business & Economy
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Business & Economy

Libraries Announce $1 Million Gift to Endow Plastics Pioneers Curator Position

Friday, February 19, 2016, By Pamela Whiteley McLaughlin
Share
giving
Plastic figures Willie and Millie, used to promote Kool cigarettes

Plastic figures Willie and Millie, used to promote Kool cigarettes

Dean of Libraries David Seaman has announced a new endowed fund to support the Plastics Pioneers Historical Plastics Collection, created by a $1 million gift to the Syracuse University Libraries. The donor, a successful member of the plastics industry, wishes to remain anonymous. The annual revenue from this endowment will provide support for a new curator who will manage and develop the plastics collection.

The plastics collection was given to the Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center in 2008 upon the closing of the National Plastics Center, which had amassed one of the nation’s largest private collections of artifacts, books and papers related to the history and use of plastics. The collection continues to be supported by the Plastics History and Artifact Committee of the Plastics Pioneers Association.

In making this gift, the donor and the Plastics Pioneers Association commit to supporting the Syracuse University Libraries as it maintains, preserves and makes accessible the history and artifacts of the plastics industry. Glenn Beall, a plastics historian and industry activist who helped to broker the gift, says about the anonymous donor, “He was a plastics processor, sold his business a few years ago, and this is his way of giving back to the industry for the wonderful career and business opportunities that the plastics industry provided to him.”

“This generous gift recognizes the importance of our research collections to University scholarship,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “It also affirms our commitment to curating and promoting cutting-edge research materials. This collection enables students and faculty to learn how plastics have shaped the modern world, transforming life as we know it.”

Dean Seaman adds that “This new endowed position will allow us to encourage use of the plastics collection across the curriculum, including industrial design, history, chemical engineering, environmental science and entrepreneurship.” The collection can be accessed through the Plastics Collection website (http://plastics.syr.edu) and in the Plastics Pioneers Reading Room (a 2013 gift of Glenn and Patsy Beall) on the sixth floor of Bird Library.

For more information, contact Lucy Mulroney, senior director of the Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center, at 315-443–8539 or ldmulron@syr.edu.

  • Author

Pamela Whiteley McLaughlin

  • Recent
  • Pre-Registration Open for On-Campus Vaccine Clinic
    Friday, April 16, 2021, By News Staff
  • Commencement 2021 Update
    Friday, April 16, 2021, By News Staff
  • Activities for the Weekend of April 15-19 | Submit Proof of Vaccination
    Thursday, April 15, 2021, By News Staff
  • ‘Biden is Considering Overhauling the Supreme Court. That’s Happened During Every Crisis in US Democracy’
    Thursday, April 15, 2021, By Lily Datz
  • ‘It Was Never All or Nothing in Afghanistan’
    Thursday, April 15, 2021, By News Staff

More In Business & Economy

Pre-Registration Open for On-Campus Vaccine Clinic

Dear Students: In anticipation of potentially receiving more vaccine in the coming days, the Barnes Center at The Arch is reopening the pre-registration form for those interested in receiving the vaccine on campus. Please complete the form to indicate your…

Commencement 2021 Update

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff: With less than 40 days to go in the spring semester, we are delighted to share positive news regarding Syracuse University’s 2021 Commencement. Earlier this week, New York State published statewide guidelines for graduation…

Activities for the Weekend of April 15-19 | Submit Proof of Vaccination

Dear Students and Families: The end of the spring semester is quickly approaching. In fact, it will conclude in a little over five weeks. It has been an experience unlike anything we’ve ever experienced, but together, everyone in our community…

Breitbeck, Storino Named Class of 2022 Senior Class Marshals

A longstanding tradition honoring two exemplar seniors, the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience announces today the selection of Ava Breitbeck and Morgan Storino as the Class of 2022 Senior Class Marshals. In this role, Breitbeck and Storino serve…

Whitman Maintains Prestigious AACSB International Accreditation

Syracuse University has maintained its business accreditation by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Today, 870 business schools in over 100 countries—maintain this distinguished hallmark of excellence in management education. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest-serving…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2021 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.