Today, philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick, owners of The Wonderful Company, joined Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, and other distinguished guests and members of the Caltech community to commemorate the opening of the Resnick Sustainability Center (RSC).

The 79,500-square-foot project, located on the western edge of the Caltech campus, was made possible by a $750 million gift from the Resnicks through their foundation and The Wonderful Company to Caltech in 2019 – the largest in the Institute’s history and one of the largest ever for environmental sustainability research.

The RSC now serves as a collaborative hub for researchers, students, and faculty across all divisions. With advanced laboratories and shared spaces, it is designed to foster pioneering solutions in sustainability, from energy and resource utilization to environmental science. The center integrates sustainability into the fabric of Caltech’s education system, with all first-year students in the class of 2028 taking introductory chemistry labs in the new facility, immersing them in a research environment from day one.

Unlike traditional academic buildings, the RSC features specialized research centers that bring together experts from various disciplines, fostering an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability. It stands as a symbol of Caltech’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its curriculum, reshaping how the subject is taught and explored. This facility elevates Caltech’s research capabilities and sets the stage for future generations of innovators to lead efforts to protect and preserve the planet.

“Nothing is more moving than seeing this new center brim with life, bringing together some of the brightest minds humanity has to offer,” said Stewart Resnick, co-owner and chairman of The Wonderful Company. “Together, we are striving to fulfill the mandate handed down to those privileged to spend time on this beautiful and now imperiled planet: the duty to leave a sustainable world for future generations. This institute will be a hive of innovation, a beacon of bold thinking and unshakeable determination that humanity can rise to the great existential challenge of our lifetime. Lynda and I are inspired by all the life, knowledge, and purpose coursing through this citadel of science, and have every confidence that when the world looks back on this seminal moment in history, Caltech will feature greatly in humanity’s story.”

The Resnick Sustainability Center is on track to achieve LEED Platinum certification, underscoring its commitment to green building practices. The building’s design features solar energy systems, efficient resource usage, and sustainable architecture that reflects its purpose. With the RSC now fully operational, Caltech is poised to make lasting contributions to the global fight against climate change, advancing both scientific discoveries and sustainability education.

About The Wonderful Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility

The Wonderful Company and its co-owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, have a long-standing commitment to investing in the communities where their employees live and work, especially in California’s Central Valley, home to 3,000 employees. The Resnicks, along with their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have invested more than $2.5 billion in education, health and wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives across the Central Valley, Fiji, and the world. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, and its core values, visit csr.wonderful.com