The Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Park at Texas State University has received a $100,000 gift from the Wells Fargo Foundation in support of sustainability and alternative energy research.
The gift was presented Friday to Texas State University President Denise Trauth during the university’s annual Distinguished Alumni gala.
"This generous gift from the Wells Fargo Foundation provides essential startup funding to support new initiatives being launched at Texas State in renewable energy and environmentally sustainable water technologies," said Texas State Provost Gene Bourgeois. "These partnership efforts leveraged through resources at STAR Park will further Texas State's mission of providing research with relevance."
Renewable and green technologies are areas the university is exploring with its research partners, said STAR Park Director Stephen Frayser. The gift from the Wells Fargo Foundation will help further the development of these new technologies.
"Wells Fargo believes that, as a company and as a member of the community, it’s our responsibility to help protect and restore the environment. We embrace that responsibility in all we do," said Mark Curry, Wells Fargo Community Banking president for Austin. "In 2012, we created the Wells Fargo Clean Technology and Innovation grant program as part of our effort to donate $100 million for environmental projects across the nation by 2020. Texas State University’s STAR Park is a terrific fit for our program, as it supports and fosters the development of new and emerging clean technologies that can positive impact us all."
The 58-acre STAR Park is a collaborative effort of Texas State and research partners serving as a catalyst for continued public/private development of new or improved technologies. Anchored by the STAR One technology business incubator, STAR Park is currently home to five new and emerging technology companies, a soon-to-be-opened advanced polymers and nanomaterials center, Texas State's Small Business Development Center and the Office of Commercialization and Industry Relations.