Professor Richard Booth is the recipient of the Achievement Award from the 10th annual Cornell Town-Gown Awards (known as the TOGOs). As a lawyer and environmentalist, he has invested substantial efforts towards public service work, both at the local and state levels. Booth has dedicated 10 years of service to the City of Ithaca’s Common Council, including six years as chair of the City’s Budget and Administration Committee. At the state level, he has served as a member of the New York State Adirondack Park Agency, a position which he has held across for nearly 10 years.
As Professor in the department, Booth teaches courses on land use law, environmental, and resource management, courses many alumni in the department feel have been informative in their planning practice. Elyse Belarge (M.R.P. ’19), a planner at VHB working in Westchester County, expresses the impact his land use law course has on her current position. “Land use law was one of the most interesting and useful classes I took at Cornell. I learned more from him than I could have hoped for, and continue to use what he taught me after leaving Cornell,” she shared.
The 10th annual Town-Gown Awards, which was held virtually this year, also recognized other leaders throughout Tompkins County. Awards were presented to organizations including the Child Development Council and the Cayuga Health System.
The TOGOs celebrates partnerships and connections made between Cornell University and the local communities and highlights the efforts of those who have left impactful legacies to the broader region.