BUFFALO, NY – Canisius University announced that it is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative. Representatives from Honeywell’s Buffalo Research Laboratory presented the check to Mariusz Kozik, PhD, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and coordinator of the Western New York Chemistry Olympiad, at a gathering of Honeywell and Canisius University administrators on May 20, 2019.
The funds will be used to offset costs associated with students’ preparation and participation in the Western New York Chapter of the International Chemistry Olympiad. The Chemistry Olympiad is a local, national and international competition designed to stimulate and promote achievement in high school chemistry. It is sponsored nationally by the American Chemical Society and hosted locally by Canisius University.
“Supporting the Chemistry Olympiad Program alongside the incredible faculty and staff at Canisius University with this grant since 2002 has been a privilege for our lab,” said Bob Sikorski, site leader for Honeywell’s Buffalo Research Laboratory. “We are committed to supporting our local youth in developing their understanding of chemistry and putting them in a great position to invent, design, and develop a safer, cleaner future for us all.”
The grant funding is also used to support two top high school students in summer research positions in Canisius University’s chemistry department. In addition to the grant, Honeywell employee volunteers helped mentor 80 students in preparation for the local competition.
“Canisius University is extraordinarily grateful for Honeywell’s dedicated commitment to this worthwhile educational experience,” says Kozik. “Honeywell’s support is an investment in the future successes of our high school participants and the strength of the Western New York community.”
Honeywell’s Buffalo Research Lab has supported the Western New York Chapter of the International Chemistry Olympiad for more than 20 years and has donated a total of $238,000 in support of this initiative since 2002.
The lab houses the primary research and development facility for the company’s Fluorine Products business, a world leader in fluorine technology. The business manufactures and supplies a wide range of products, including non-ozone-depleting and low-global-warming-potential refrigerants and blowing agents.
About Honeywell Hometown Solutions
Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, which emphasizes STEM education, inclusion and diversity, sustainability, child safety, and humanitarian relief. Together with leading public and nonprofit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit https://www.honeywell.com/en-us/company/our-communities.
For additional information, contact the Canisius University Office of College Communications at (716) 888-2790.
Canisius University is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York.
-30-
