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Illinois State Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Glen Carbon, toured the Fuller Dome Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (CSS) on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus on Monday, Feb. 22 to gain information in order to promote the Center and provide assistance. 

Crowe, who represents the 56^th District in the Metro East and is the vice chair of the newly formed Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee, was invited by CSS Director Ben Lowder, who shared CSS’s mission, vision, needs and potential. 

“When you live close to something, you can take it for granted,” said Crowe. “I grew up in Wood River and was familiar with the Dome, but I certainly didn’t understand the significance of it. It’s been a real educational experience for me. There are people outside of the country who recognize the importance of and the legacy of (sustainability pioneer) R. Buckminster Fuller. He and his contributions should be better known in our country, region and state.” 

“What struck me most is Fuller’s foresight, and that we are still considering the same things today,” continued Crowe. “I also learned how underutilized the Center is. The educational aspect and potential for SIUE students and others in the area is amazing.” 

The senator was excited about using her position on the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee to elevate the CSS and help meet its objectives. “The Center fits in exactly with what we need in our area – tourism. We need to get the word out better about Mr. Fuller and everything he has contributed, so we can draw people here.” 

“I invited Sen. Crowe, because her southern Illinois legislative district covers part of the most important region in the world for architecture, pertaining to the legacy of Buckminster Fuller.” said Lowder. “The geodesic domed, miniature earth Center that Fuller designed for the SIUE campus will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year, and Sen. Crowe will be joining us in that celebration. We are building relationships and looking forward to the next 50 years of making the Center a place for reconnecting to the earth and each other.” 

 “As an educator, I appreciate Sen. Crowe’s interest in how students are engaged with the Center’s work,” said CSS Board President Connie Frey Spurlock, PhD, director of the SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC) and associate professor in the Department of Sociology. “I’m looking forward to working with Sen. Crowe and our students, as we move the Dome closer to being a net zero, carbon neutral building.” 

The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability is a non-profit, multi-faith home for spirituality and sustainability efforts housed in the Buckminster Fuller Dome on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus. 

Photos:
(L-R) Center for Spirituality and Sustainability Director Ben Lowder explains the layout of the Dome to Illinois State Sen. Rachelle Aud Crowe, D-Glen Carbon.