Staff Report
ONEONTA _ Hartwick College received a donation of $5,000 from Hannaford Supermarkets to complete the construction of its Cob House, a student-built structure composed of wet clay, straw and sand on the college's Pine Lake Environmental Campus.
The donation, announced Wednesday, was made possible by the Hannaford Charitable Foundation.
"Hannaford Supermarkets is proud to partner with Hartwick College to help further the completion of such an important and dynamic project within our community," Oneonta Hannaford store Manager Angelo Malone said in a media release.
Construction on the Cob House began in 2003 as part of the college's "Architecture of the Sacred" course.
The house is designed to act as a "learning lab" for students at Hartwick, as well as students from the Oneonta school district who participate in environmental-education activities on the campus.
The cottage will house two students during the school year and will be available for rent during the summer. The cottage's frame is complete, but finish and systems work are still needed, officials said.
According to the release, Hannaford's donation to Hartwick coincides with efforts at its store locations, including the Oneonta store, to improve energy efficiency and expand its offerings of organic and natural products. Renovations toward these goals are expected to be completed at the Oneonta store in March.
"We are thankful to have found a community partner in Hannaford that is ardently committed to furthering sustainability research and awareness," Hartwick College President Margaret L. Drugovich said in the release. "Their contribution will further the education of the students engaged in research at our unique living and learning community."
For more information about the Pine Lake Campus, visit www.hartwick.edu/x13229.xml.
