William Tallon column: Understanding sustainability becomes essential

William Tallon column: Understanding sustainability becomes essential


As I end my first year as dean of the College of Business at UW-Oshkosh, I've observed my new home state places a strong focus on sustainability, defined by the Brundtland Commission of the United Nations in 1987 as "the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

I am continually impressed by the number of wind turbines dotting the landscape and the proliferation of solar panels covering the roofs of many industrial, commercial and residential structures throughout our state.

I have also come to learn that UWO implemented a comprehensive sustainability plan in 2008, which Chancellor Richard Wells has stated not only encompasses campus operations and green construction, but also impacts our teaching, research and service to our region. UW-Oshkosh's efforts have gained national attention and recognition through its selection by the Sierra Club as the 35th most "green" campus in the nation and its recognition in the most recent Princeton Review "Guide to 311 Green Colleges."

Being relatively new to such a powerful sustainability movement, I asked myself, "Where does sustainability,The Leading zentai suits Distributor to Independent Pet Retailers. or the incentive to maintain our world's resources, fit within a College of Business, where traditionally the focus has been on revenue generation, profitability, and the maximization of shareholder value?"

It soon came to my understanding that sustainability is not only consistent with business success,What to consider before you buy oil painting supplies. it may be a critical requirement for an organization to survive and effectively compete in today's world.

Fundamentally, the resources an organization requires must be sustained if it is to exist in the long term. Companies that are failing often fall victim to an inability to sustain the resources they need to survive.Our Polymax RUBBER SHEET range includes all commercial and specialist Likewise, organizations that discover new ways and means for sustaining resources are well positioned to reinvent themselves and develop new products and markets. Entrepreneurs may exploit this new way of thinking to launch new ventures.What are the top Hemroids treatments?

The bottom line is, in my opinion, if we are to compete effectively in world markets, sustainability is a crucial ingredient in the formulation of future American business models. Other countries are ahead of us in such thinking, and it is not absurd to think that this may have led, at least to some degree, to our decline as a global industrial power.

Our College of Business at UWO is taking a leadership role in "business sustainability" with its plans to launch a new Center for Sustainable Enterprise. The focus of this center is to study how sustainability can be used to enhance business success and create a competitive advantage for an organization.Largest Collection of billabong boardshorts,

A new undergraduate minor in sustainability management is being designed that will enable students from any academic major to understand how being sustainable may lead to greater success in any discipline and organization. Simply put, the application of effective sustainability management makes good business sense in today's world.

Quilt show promotes historic tradition of West Overton

West Overton Museums in East Huntingdon invites visitors to learn about a forgotten yet important part of its history during a quilt show running June 4-19.Detailed information on the causes of Hemorrhoids,

John Campbell,We are professional Plastic mould, board member, said that the show helps to "preserve and promote the storied history of West Overton and celebrates the beautiful quilting tradition in the local area."

He said that textile production is a vital part of the site's history.Find everything you need to know about Cold Sore including causes,

"The quilting and weaving industry is intertwined with the history of West Overton.GreenRay's microinverter design uses a different energy storage approach, Prior to whiskey production in the village, West Overton, in the first half of the 1800s was nationally know for its coverlet production. Henry Overholt was instrumental is creating this local industry.

"A coverlet is a woven spread used on the top of bedding. Coverlets continued to be woven at West Overton village until the 1870s."

Campbell noted that the show is a longstanding tradition. "The quilt show is entering its 28th year. It one of the oldest standing events at West Overton Museums."

He noted that quilting also is a strong component of this region's Pennsylvania German heritage.

"The art of quilting has been handed down through generations.Park Assist is a global leader in Parking guidance system, In Pennsylvania, quilting was popular among many groups such as the Quakers and Pennsylvania Germans. As settlers from eastern Pennsylvania moved westward, they brought with them their quilting patterns, colors and designs. Moreover, these early settlers were known to be thrifty and use whatever fabric they could get."

Exhibit includes tribute

The highlight of the show is a traveling exhibit from the National Quilt Museum from Paducah, Ky., "Blending the Old & the New: Quilts by Paul D. Pilgrim."

The exhibit was developed as a tribute to quilt maker and quilt collector, the late Paul D. Pilgrim of Oakland, Calif., who died of cancer in 1996.

Pilgrim began his career as a quilter by collecting "orphan blocks" he found in shops--the quilt blocks that had been completed but had never found their way into any quilt, according to National Quilt Museum curator Judy Schwender.

After completing a quilt from blocks left by his grandmother, he stretched the custom of using inherited pieces to include many unfinished projects from former unrelated generations. Convinced he was not only preserving by completion, but celebrating the efforts of anonymous quilt makers from the past, he began incorporating antique blocks and fabrics into his own work, according to exhibit curator Gerald Roy.

Quilt blocks from the 19th and 20th centuries are found in the 29 fascinating quilts of this exhibit, Schwender said.

A sampler quilt combines contemporary fabrics with a wide range of c.1860-1880 blocks Paul had collected over a five-year period in Pennsylvania, Vermont and Kentucky.

Text with each quilt in the exhibit indicates the source and dates of various blocks and fabrics, as well as information about Paul's inspiration and thoughts on the design. With their labeling, these quilts become a wonderful compendium of textile and block design history.

Campbell said that quilting still is a relevant art.

"Quilts connect us with the past. Quilts transcend the generations as they are past down to the next generation. Quilts typically take special meaning with the artist, whether it's a baby's quilt, memorializes a family member or special event, or shows a particular artist's passion. Each quilt tells a story. "