Gary Stewart receives Chamber of Commerce award

Gary Stewart
Robert Barker/University Photography
The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce honors Gary Stewart, director of Cornell’s Office of Community Relations, with the 2013 Key Member of the Year Award Jan. 30.

Gary Stewart, director of Cornell’s Office of Community Relations, received the 2013 Key Member of the Year Award from the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce at its annual dinner meeting Jan. 30.

The award was “in recognition of Gary’s enduring support and leadership. His advice is always absolutely on-point and utterly reliable,” according to the dinner program.

“Gary has served the chamber as the producer of ‘All Things Equal’ on WHCU since 2008. As a board member, he also chaired our sector analysis task force, a major part of our 2013 work plan. Gary’s wit, energy and hard work make him an invaluable member of the Tompkins Chamber,” said Jean McPheeters, president of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.

Stewart joined Cornell in 2001, after nine years at the Ithaca Journal, where he was the editor of its opinion page. In his current position, Stewart strives to forward town-gown connectivity, including shared challenges and opportunities. The office works with community and campus leaders on matters of mutual interest, including area infrastructure, sustainability, public schools, economic development, transportation and planning.

Stewart also writes a twice-monthly column for The Ithaca Journal and serves on several on- and-off campus boards, committees and project teams, including the Campus-Community Coalition, Collegetown Neighborhood Council, President’s Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs, President’s Sustainable Campus Committee, Tompkins County Area Development, Local Leaders of Color, Tompkins County Environmental Management Council, Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, Cornell United Way, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, SUNY Council for University Advancement, and the International Town-Gown Association.

He is a former winner of the Tompkins Trust Co. Award for Excellence and Cornell’s George Peter Award for Dedicated Service, and he has been honored several times by statewide organizations for community relations and outreach initiatives.

Media Contact

Joe Schwartz