
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
cgonzal@unm.edu
April 27, 2006
Public Invited to UNM Pearl Hall Celebration
A “Foundation Celebration” for George Pearl Hall, the new School of Architecture and Planning and Fine Arts and Design Library building, is scheduled for Thursday, May 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the top of the Cornell Parking structure. The parking structure is directly north of the Pearl Hall construction site.
“The Foundation Celebration brings together all the stakeholders in George Pearl Hall. Construction of this much-needed facility was delayed for years, and this is a meaningful way to gather together to celebrate the remarkable achievements and collaborations this new building represents,” said Roger Schluntz, dean, School of Architecture and Planning. Primary stakeholders are the faculty, students and alumni.
George Pearl Hall, like the UNM Bookstore, will serve as a gateway to UNM. It will allow the school, currently housed in three buildings, to relocate into one building strategically situated on historic Route 66.
The building was designed by Antoine Predock, a recent recipient of the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal, the highest honor the AIA confers on an architect. Predock was a student in the school.
The successful fundraising resides in a public/private partnership, according to Jan Bandrofchak, the school's chief development officer. “The New Mexico State Legislature, bonds and private donations were all critical,” she said.
“The School of Architecture and Planning has the smallest alumni base, but we were able to raise the largest amount in a capital campaign in the history of the university,” said Pam Hurd-Knief, former development officer for the school and currently director of major gifts for the UNM Foundation.
Other invitees include deans and UNM's leadership, as well as the UNM Foundation Board and staff, the hundreds of donors to the new facility, and the friends, family and colleagues of George Clayton Pearl.
A groundbreaking ceremony in November 2005 recognized the support of the New Mexico Legislature and in particular, the contributions of Rep. Ed Sandoval, who secured the initial appropriation for the building.
“We anticipated that a small group of donors, faculty and UNM administration would attend, but in fact, there was an overflow crowd, which indicates the great campus and community interest in the new facility,” Schluntz said.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jan Bandrofchak at 277-6442.
The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.
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