Saillant to Receive Honorary Degree at May Commencement

Dr. Roger B. Saillant, former president and CEO of Plug Power, will receive an honorary doctor of science degree during SUNY Cobleskill’s spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 17.

“Dr. Saillant has led a company that has been exploring exciting new energy technologies, has embraced and spread the philosophy of sustainability and has given generously of his very valuable time to this college.  We are very proud to be able to award an honorary degree to a man who has invested so much in the future that our students will be living in,” said SUNY Cobleskill Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Anne Myers.

With a long history of innovative technology and pledge to sustainability, Saillant’s values are closely aligned with those of SUNY Cobleskill – a commitment to education in applied technology in the service of humanity and the environment and a formal commitment to sustainability. Like the emerging fuel cell technologies Saillant has dedicated much of his work to, SUNY Cobleskill has shifted its traditional role to meet the changing needs of the students and the state.

Saillant joined Plug Power in December 2000, after more than 30 years with Ford Motor Company and Visteon Corporation.  As CEO he helped build Plug Power’s development of fuel cells and create a hydrogen economy, as well as emphasizing the importance of sustainability practices.  In addition to his work in the heart of Tech Valley, Saillant serves on the board of directors of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education.  He also serves as chair of the Implementation and Integration Team of Tech Valley High School and is a member of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee, a group created by the U.S. Congress to advise the Department of Energy. Saillant holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bowdoin College, a doctorate in chemistry from Indiana University and a post-doctorate degree in organometallic chemistry from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Saillant’s leadership at Plug Power has led the company to work with Honda as well as having been selected by the European Commission to receive a grant for international development and demonstration of fuel cell system prototypes. A fuel cell system has also been put to use in the agricultural industry to generate electricity to heat the milking parlor of a farm. Saillant has also gone before the House Committee on Science and Technology to testify about the continued support of fuel cell development for use in vehicles.

Throughout the years Saillant has worked with SUNY Cobleskill and its administration to lay the groundwork for the sustainability initiative on campus. Between giving lectures on campus and meeting with campus leaders, Saillant has helped continue the college’s efforts of going green and developing “green” course work, thus assisting in advancing the image of the college.