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The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE



Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
cgonzal@unm.edu

Oct. 25, 2007

George Pearl Hall Dedication Set for Oct. 28

In March 1997 when the New Mexico Legislature approved $500,000 to plan for a new building to house the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning, no one thought a new building would be 10 years away. On Sunday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m., the formal dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at George Pearl Hall, the new home for the school and for the UNM Fine Arts and Design Library.

The building is well worth the wait. The public is welcome to the free event, which will feature a brass band beckoning people to the west side of the building for a formal welcome. Roger Schluntz, dean, UNM School of Architecture and Planning, and UNM Executive Vice President David Harris, will cut the ribbon.

Students from the American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers will bless the building. Afterward, Harris, who served as UNM president from the groundbreaking through most of the construction, will speak about the challenges of the project as well as the promise presented in George Pearl Hall.

Former UNM Regent Penny Rembe, a supporter and advocate for the school and its programs, will speak about her friendship with George Pearl. UNM Library Dean Martha Bedard will talk about the much-anticipated move into the fourth floor of the building where the Fine Arts and Design Library will be housed come January.

Unique Cakes is providing a cake designed to look like George Pearl Hall and Antoine Predock will ceremoniously cut the first piece.

In January 2008, the School of Architecture and Planning will hold classes in the building and the library will open.

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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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