USM Celebrates Opening of the Camille Kendall Academic Center, Nov. 9

USM Media Alert

WHAT: The University System of Maryland (USM) celebrates the opening of the Camille Kendall Academic Center at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). Ribbon-cutting ceremony to be led by Governor Martin O'Malley.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to Noon, Friday, November 9, 2007.

WHERE: Universities at Shady Grove, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD.

WHY: USG's 192,000-square-foot "green" Kendall Center is one of the largest green buildings in the region, and the newest and largest in University System of Maryland. It represents USM's commitment to sustainable practices and to bringing higher education programs to locations where they are critically needed and better serve Maryland's citizens.

The building also features state-of-art technology with 45 smart classrooms, Mac and digital labs, distance-learning halls and more. USG is one of the most wired campuses in the country.

WHO: Governor O'Malley will be joined by USM Chancellor William E Kirwan; USM Board of Regents Chair Clifford Kendall and wife Camille, for whom the building is named; Congressman Chris Van Hollen; and Montgomery County leaders as well as USG students representing the eight public universities that offer degree programs at USG.

GREEN FEATURES: USG's new building is the largest green higher education building in the state of Maryland and one of the first USM buildings to achieve a LEED®-Gold rating. The rating, which is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council, reflects adherence to stringent sustainable design and construction measures that protect and preserve natural resources. The Kendall Center features sustainable bamboo wood flooring, solar orientation to maximize lighting, wheat board fibers and recycled materials in furnishings, rooftop vegetative gardens, and energy-efficient HVAC and water systems.

ABOUT USG: USG is a unique model for higher education that continues to innovate as it grows. Founded in 1999-2000 by USM, USG offers classes for undergraduate students in their junior and senior year as
well as graduate certificate and degree programs. USG features 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs from eight of Maryland's public universities. Students attend classes at USG but receive the same coursework, curriculum and instructors as the home campus.

Contact: John Buettner
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: jbuettner@usmd.edu