SENATOR NOZZOLIO TO BE HONORED AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY’S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES WITH OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

Cornell University has announced that New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio has been chosen to receive the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a Cornell alumnus.

Senator Nozzolio earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cornell University.  He earned a Master of Science degree from the Graduate School, with a concentration in agricultural economics and resource economics from the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Each year, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association honors alumni who have:

·        achieved recognized success in their businesses, professions, or other avocational endeavors;

·        have actively been involved in, worked for, and demonstrated leadership on behalf of the College and Cornell University; and

·        have made significant contributions to the betterment of society through humanitarian and charitable endeavors.

Senator Nozzolio was previously awarded the prestigious Jerome Alpern Distinguished Alumni Award from the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations for his outstanding service and professional accomplishments.

“It is especially meaningful for me to receive the Outstanding Alumni Award because the education and experiences I had as an undergraduate and graduate student at Cornell University provided me with an excellent and unique foundation for my role as a New York State Senator and in representing the Finger Lakes region in the New York State Legislature,” said Senator Nozzolio.   

Throughout his public service, Senator Nozzolio has promoted high-tech research in an effort to further Cornell University and New York State as a global leader in agriculture production and food science.  He has secured over $10 million in capital and equipment funds for Cornell University’s Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, including the funding necessary for the renovation of the greenhouses at the Station and the addition of a state-of-the-art Hiperbaric High Pressure Processing machine. This machine is nationally the first of its kind at an institution of higher education and is the only validation unit ensuring that corporate units are complying with food safety regulations.

Senator Nozzolio is also responsible for significant upgrades to the Experiment Station, the establishment of the Ag Tech Park adjacent to the Experiment Station and the construction of the Finger Lakes Wine and Viticulture Center in Geneva. In addition to the state-of-the-art research and technology taking place in Geneva, these important projects have had a significant impact on the economy of the Finger Lakes region by creating hundreds of well paying jobs for local residents.

“As Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and as an alumna, I am thrilled with Senator Michael Nozzolio’s recognition as a CALS Outstanding Alumnus,” said Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Senator Nozzolio has been a tireless advocate of and champion for the college and its New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, resulting in improved educational and economic opportunities for the people throughout his district and New York State.”

“I echo the sentiments of Dean Boor,” said Susan Brown, the Goichman Family Director of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. “The New York State Agricultural Experiment Station’s campus at Geneva has benefitted from many facility and equipment improvements thanks to the efforts of Senator Nozzolio. We are proud to call him an alumnus, as well as a friend.”

Senator Nozzolio has served as a member of the Cornell University Council and is a board member Emeritus of the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park.

The award will be given during the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences annual awards dinner on November 20th in Ithaca.