University to welcome back former Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little for building dedication ceremony Oct. 26
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will formally dedicate its premier Lawrence research facility in honor of the chancellor who made it a reality.
KU will host a building dedication ceremony for Gray-Little Hall – named after former Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little – at a celebration event at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in the building’s main auditorium.
The ceremony will be hosted by Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, who will introduce Gray-Little for remarks and formally dedicate the building in her honor.
“Chancellor Gray-Little guided KU to unprecedented success, elevated the university’s stature and transformed the way KU serves the state,” Girod said of his predecessor. “Among her many accomplishments was the development of Gray-Little Hall, which provided KU with new research space at a crucial moment in the university’s history. Beyond her accomplishments, Chancellor Gray-Little led with a special grace that made her a role model for Jayhawks everywhere. We are thrilled to welcome her back for this ceremony, and we look forward to the opportunity to reflect on her leadership.”
RSVPs are not required but are appreciated for planning purposes. If you plan to attend, please submit your RSVP here.
A long overdue event
Today’s announcement is not the first time KU has announced a dedication ceremony for the building. In February 2020, KU announced a dedication event would happen in April of that year. But less than three weeks after the announcement, states began implementing shutdowns due to COVID-19. And just like that, the dedication ceremony had the unfortunate distinction of becoming the first major KU ceremony canceled due to the pandemic.
“I’m excited for the chance to celebrate this remarkable science building,” Gray-Little said. “For our students, this building has provided new ways to interact with instructors and engage in a modern curriculum. For our researchers, the building has enabled them to do the kind of research that improves lives, grows the economy and advances knowledge. I am honored to have been part of the development of this building, and I look forward to the great work that will happen within its walls for years to come.”
The building – originally called the Integrated Science Building – opened in 2018 and comprises 280,000 square feet of space for teaching, learning and research in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, physics, molecular biosciences and related fields.
Gray-Little Hall Timeline
- Spring 2016 – Construction begins on new “Integrated Science Building”
- July 2017 – Bernadette Gray-Little steps down as KU’s chancellor
- May 2018 – Integrated Science Building opens
- December 2019 – Regents authorizes KU to rename the building “Gray-Little Hall”
- February 2020 – KU announces April 30 dedication and renaming event
- March 2020 – COVID-19 shutdown starts; April 30 event canceled
- Spring 2022 – KU begins referring to the building as “Gray-Little Hall”
- October 2023 – KU to host building dedication ceremony.