A dedication ceremony for the Lattie F. Coor House, newly named in honor of one of the University of Vermont’s longest serving and most successful presidents, was held May 16 on the front lawn of the building at 438 College Street, the administrative home of UVM’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Coor, who served as UVM president from 1976 to 1989, spurred a significant advance in the university’s academic reputation, culminating in its inclusion in Richard Moll’s influential 1985 book, The Public Ivys.

Speakers included Robert F. Cioffi, chair of the UVM Board of Trustees, UVM president Tom Sullivan, Antonio Cepeda-Benito, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Coor.  

“Lattie Coor was one of the most influential presidents in UVM’s history,” said UVM Board of Trustees Chair Robert Cioffi. “During his tenure, he advanced the university to a national prominence it still enjoys. He was also a friend and mentor to many members of the UVM community. On a personal note, he was a tremendous influence on my during my time here as a student, and I know countless others who have the same feeling. It will be an honor to have him back on campus for this well deserved ceremony.”
    
“In helping UVM achieve the status of a Public Ivy,” said current UVM president Tom Sullivan, “Lattie Coor burnished the university’s reputation for decades to come and laid the groundwork for much of our work we’re doing today to build on UVM’s reputation for academic quality. It will be a great pleasure to have him back on campus and honor him for his many achievements here.”  

“I deeply appreciate this honor,” said Coor. “It affirms my very strong bond with UVM. I look back at my time as UVM president with great pride. Working together as a team, we were able to advance the quality and reputation of this extraordinary academic community, enhancing its long and illustrious tradition as we did so. I salute President Sullivan and the UVM community for continuing to take this university to even greater heights as one of the nation’s top institutions of higher learning.”    

The ceremony was highlighted by the unveiling of a new sign outside the building and plaque that will hang in its lobby. A reception followed.

The UVM Board of Trustees passed a resolution to name the building after Coor at its February meeting. In addition to honoring him for “securing UVM’s place in the ranks of America’s finest national universities,” the board resolution describes Coor, UVM’s 21st president, as “one of the most influential leaders in higher education.”

After leaving UVM, Coor served as president of Arizona State University, in his home state, until his retirement in 2002. That year he co-founded a think tank, the Center for the Future of Arizona, and serves as its chairman and CEO. He is currently Professor and Ernest W. McFarland Chair in Leadership and Public Policy at Arizona State’s School of Public Affairs.  

After an extensive renovation in 2006, 438 College Street received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold designation. Built in 1908, it is one of the few renovated buildings in Vermont to meet both LEED and historic preservation standards.