Like a giant footprint at the west edge of the University of Vermont's tower parking lot, the future James M. Jeffords Hall has already made its first impression in what long ago was farmland. Site preparation is underway for the college's unparalleled plant science building, following deconstruction and recycling of the former agricultural engineering building on the spot near UVM's iconic water tower. The building, slated for March 2010 completion is on schedule, according to Michael Stevens, project coordinator for the building. Foundation work will begin in fall. Staff working in the ag. engineering building relocated in mid April to Highpoint Office Center, a UVM Extension outpost in Colchester. Now that the pavement has been peeled back, the future $55.7-million, 97,000- square-foot research, laboratory and classroom building will set its foundation where once stood the UVM farm and agricultural experiment station. "We are in a sense sowing new seeds here on the site of the original UVM Farm, and we expect an abundant crop of beneficial outcomes from this investment for generations to come," former dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Rachel Johnson told a gathering at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the site. On May 16, university officials and friends of both plant science and the former Sen. James Jeffords gathered near the campus greenhouses for a groundbreaking and naming ceremony. They recalled the history and accomplishments that led to UVM's need for this building and pledged their support for the building and the future of plant sciences at UVM. "I am honored to have my name included among my friends and colleagues, Sen. George Aiken and Sen. Bob Stafford, whose names grace such important academic buildings on this venerable campus," Sen. Jeffords said in a note delivered by Mark Powden, who had been the senator's legislative director and staffer for 20 years. "My family and I, and so many good Vermonters who have worked with me for so very many years, are proud that the University of Vermont's trustees have chosen to recognize my love and commitment to Vermont and the agricultural and life sciences in the James M. Jeffords Hall. I thank the university, my senate colleagues, particularly Sen. Pat Leahy, and my family for working toward this wonderful day." Sen. Jeffords was unable to attend, but watched a video of the event. Powden, quipped, "My parents met at UVM, I don't think you can have a greater debt to UVM than that!" He reminded the audience that Jeffords always insisted that his work was built on that of the giants who came before him, and now Jeffords Hall will stand shoulder to shoulder with Aiken and Stafford Halls. Jeffords was a strong advocate for education, the environment and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The three-story red brick building bearing his name will house seven teaching labs and three classrooms on the main floor and research labs and offices for the plant biology and plant and soil science departments in the upper levels. Its north end will connect to the campus greenhouses. Jeffords Hall received support from several sources: $10 million from the state of Vermont, $3 million in federal funds secured by Sen. Leahy and colleagues in honor of Jeffords and $1 million from the Lintilhac Foundation. The Foundation is headed by Philip Lintilhac,'63, research associate professor in plant biology and Crea Lintilhac G'78 active in environmental issues and an advisor to the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, who were on hand at the groundbreaking. Philip Lintilhac delivered a "Five-Minute History of Plant Biology" that brought the audience to laughter in recollection of Professor "Tom Sproston's infectious enthusiasm for the fungi" and almost to tears as he described the innate beauty in botany "at all levels, whether through the microscope or out in the field." Lintilhac tied this timeline together by explaining that "plant science at UVM stands for not just the discovery of new knowledge the publication of peer-reviewed articles or the competition for extramural funding, but for the commitment to bringing new people into the field." UVM President Daniel Mark Fogel took the idea further, "the work that will take place in this building will usher in a new era of plant biology and environmental science." Visit the "Five-Minute History of Plant Biology." Make a Lasting Impression in Jeffords Hall

The floor plan of the James M. Jeffords Hall is a patchwork of rectangles with room numbers — numbers just waiting to be replaced by names. Names become destinations. Names become identifiers used every day in speech, writing, signs and graphics. They become part of the very language and the heritage of CALS. And in doing so they echo the importance of both the donor and he or she in whose name the gift is made. That's why CALS gives great thought to its names and ties them to gifts. Lab 206 is just a place with shiny new equipment on the second floor, but the Hub Vogelmann Lab will be unforgettable. Already a teaching lab is designated in the name of Professor Emeritus Hubert "Hub" Vogelmann and the Maple Seminar Room will be a tribute to Emeriti Professors Richard Klein, Fred Laing, James Marvin, Mariafranca Morselli and Fred Taylor for their lasting contributions to the maple research. Other labs and rooms offer similar occasions to honor current or former faculty, loved ones, people who have made exceptional contributions to the campus and community, people whose work has enriched and strengthened the college. Naming opportunities at Jeffords Hall include teaching laboratories for faculty and students in animal science, biology, environmental science, microbiology, molecular genetics, plant biology and plant and soil science. Room naming opportunities start at $25,000. For more information about Jeffords Hall naming opportunities call 802-656-2509 or email Howard.Lincoln@uvm.edu ~Howard Lincoln Visit a slide show on the building progress. CAPTION It would take a lot of gold shovels to dig the foundation envisioned in the plans for James M. Jeffords Hall. Instead, several traditional construction excavators began in June at the site near the campus greenhouses. ~Cheryl Dorschner photo