UNH to name building for Sen. Judd Gregg

By Kim Billings, Media Relations

The environmental technology building at UNH will be named in honor of United States Senator Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), who has shepherded more than $266 million to critical research projects based at UNH over the course of his career in the U.S. Senate.

The Executive Committee of the University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees approved the naming of the environmental technology building in honor of Gregg on March 16. A formal ceremony is scheduled to take place later this spring, according to UNH officials.

“This honor is long overdue for an individual who continues to recognize the critical role UNH research can play in solving problems and improving the quality of life for New Hampshire citizens,” says UNH President Ann Weaver Hart. “Senator Gregg has given UNH the opportunity to become a national leader in areas such as atmospheric investigation and marine science. More importantly, he has done it in a way that is directly addressing complex problems facing our nation while building academic and research programs for the future. Whether it has been Senator Gregg’s support for air quality monitoring throughout the Northeast or preventing crimes against children, he is a champion for all who need champions.”

“Senator Gregg has been, and continues to be, an energetic and greatly respected supporter of high quality academic and research programs and services in New Hampshire,” says USNH Chancellor Stephen Reno. “Naming the environmental technology building at UNH in his honor is fitting recognition and well deserved. Through his work with UNH, as well as his work with the other institutions that make up the University System of New Hampshire, the Senator’s efforts truly benefit every citizen in the Granite State.”

Gregg’s work has benefited not only UNH but research projects throughout the country. For example, in 1996, he funded creation of the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET). This national NOAA program based at UNH is developing and demonstrating better technologies to protect estuaries around the country. In 1998, Gregg funded creation of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping that is transforming the way navigational charts are produced — charts that are essential for ensuring safe navigation of shipping vessels and preventing accidents that can produce severe environmental damage.

Gregg also has been instrumental in funding over the course of several years research at the Crimes Against Children Research Center – more than $9 million in federal funding has helped the center establish itself as a premier facility for uncovering and addressing the victimization of New Hampshire’s youth, particularly those who prey on young people over the Internet.

Project54, state-of-the art technology developed at UNH which gives police voice-activated control of devices such as sirens, radios, records checks and radar guns, has been installed in 97 police cars, most of them N.H. State Police cruisers. Federal funding in February enabled local departments to put Project54 in a total of 244 vehicles, and will enable the state to put Project54 in 252 vehicles. This is the final step before the technology is used nationally.

According to John Aber, vice president for research and public service, “Senator Gregg has targeted his support in areas where UNH was poised for excellence, and helped assure that excellence was achieved.”

Details of the formal naming ceremony will be released soon.