Hardin Hall rededication June 13 to show building's new role

After months of renovation, Hardin Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be rededicated at a ceremony and open house 10:30 a.m. June 13. Previously known as the Clifford Hardin Nebraska Center for Continuing Education, this completely renovated building is located at the intersection of 33rd and Holdrege Streets on UNL's East Campus.

A brief program in the main floor lobby will be followed by tours of the laboratory, classroom, and office space that will house the faculty, staff, students and programs for the School of Natural Resources and the Department of Statistics.

Parking will be available in the Area 10 staff lot immediately north of the building.

Clifford Hardin, his wife Martha Hardin, and several of their family members are expected to attend the rededication event.

First opened in 1961 as the Nebraska Center for Continuing Education, and renamed in 1994 in honor of Clifford Hardin, the building was constructed with a W. K. Kellogg Foundation grant and with private donations from the citizens of Nebraska. It provided study facilities, housing and meal service for thousands of adult and youth groups who came to the UNL campus for conferences, workshops and institutes.

In January 2003, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a plan to completely renovate the building to provide faculty, staff and students in the School of Natural Resources with state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms and offices to support the university's teaching, research and extension education programs in natural resources. This 157,000-square-foot facility also serves as the academic home for the UNL Department of Statistics.

Hardin served as chancellor from 1954 until 1968, when he accepted nomination from President Richard Nixon to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He served as secretary of agriculture with distinction until 1971.

CONTACT: Kelly Bartling, News Manager, University Communications, (402) 472-2059