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UNF Spinnaker

Donors, philanthropists give old buildings new names

By Keri Weiland
The Tom and Betty Petway Hall houses the College of Education and Human Services.

Naming and renaming buildings has become a popular trend on campus, with seven of UNF’s buildings being given new, official names in recent semesters.

There are multiple reasons for these name changes, according to Pierre Allaire, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and chairman for the UNF Naming Committee.

The changes are due, in part, to donors to the UNF Foundation, the non-profit, gift-receiving arm of the university through which all private support goes.

Allaire, who is the executive director for the foundation, said it was important to set traditions of having names of people who have made significant contributions to the university and the community on its buildings.

“It’s part of our maturation process as a younger university,” he said.

While much of the renaming goes to UNF benefactors, Allaire said several campus buildings have been named to better match the functionality of the building itself.

He said the idea for a naming committee was established two years ago to consider name changes regarding structures on campus.

The Student Union Advisory Board approved the establishment of a Campus Naming Committee January 2011.

The committee presents considerations to the UNF Board of Trustees, which must approve all requests to name buildings.

The president has final approval on all change requests, except for those to name a building of a college or school.

Allaire said, when a building is dedicated, all costs are included in the UNF Foundation’s operating budget, which donors to the campus fund.

Allaire said there are three separate costs associated with any name change. The first involves placing plaques and displays in and around the building, which runs between $5,000-$7,000.

The second cost involves placing prominent lettering on the outside of the building, including the building’s name and number. Allaire said this can be between $1,500-$5,000.

The third cost is wayfinding, or placing direction signs around campus, Allaire said. This is part of the university’s administration and finance budget, which is the same budget that goes toward UNF Physical Facilities.

And for dedication ceremonies, Allaire said costs are anywhere between $500-$1,000.

Email Justin Chandler Porter at [email protected].

THE RENAMED BUILDINGS

Miss a building’s renaming? Take a look at those the UNF Campus Naming Committee has adorned with new monikers.

Herbert University Center

By Keri Weiland


UNF dedicated the Herbert University Center Oct. 2 to former UNF President Adam W. Herbert.

Herbert was president from 1989 to 1998, when enrollment was closer to 10,000.

Previously, the edifice was referred to as the University Center.

Ann and David Hicks Hall

By Keri Weiland

The Ann and David Hicks Hall, formerly UNF Hall, had a dedication ceremony Oct. 24.

Ann Hicks helped implement the Gray Scholarship program and worked with Allaire on the UNF Foundation Board. Allaire said the Hickses served as co-chairs for Access to Excellence, a UNF fundraising campaign that raised more $100 million in 2003.

Tom and Betty Petway Hall

By Keri Weiland


The latest dedication ceremony came Nov. 9 when the College of Education and Human Services was renamed to Tom and Betty Petway Hall.

Tom served as chair for the Board of Regents; a group appointed by the governor to oversee higher education within the state. Betty also served on the Foundation Board and was an honorary UNF alumna.

“The Petways have been civic leaders in this community for a number of years and have done a great deal for education.” Allaire said.

The Petways said the dedication ceremony humbled them.

“There is no greater reward than seeing the results of hard work,” Betty Petway said.

Allaire said all the people to whom buildings have been dedicated were very special people who greatly deserved to be honored.

English Hall

By Keri Weiland


The former Arts & Sciences Building was renamed to English Hall.

Osprey Commons

By Keri Weiland


Osprey Commons, which opened this Fall, is the new name for the building that formerly housed Osprey Cafe.

Student Wellness Complex

Photo by Keri Weiland


The Spinnaker reported the rededication of the Student Wellness Complex, which took place Oct. 17.

Biological Sciences Building

By Keri Weiland


The Biological Sciences Building is the name for the newly constructed Building 59.

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