The Association of University Real Estate Officials (AUREO) recently selected the University of California to receive its first Award of Excellence for successful planning and development of the University of California, Merced campus.
Presented in September during AUREO's annual conference at the University of Minnesota, the award recognizes UC Merced as an exceptional, innovative university project and a model for other institutions of higher education. The award also honors Robert Hatheway, associate director of the UC Office of the President Real Estate Services Group, for his accomplishments in furthering campus development.
“The UC Merced campus project will serve as an outstanding example of how perseverance, creativity and a professional approach to a real estate issue can have a major impact on a university and a state,” said Stan Mithoefer, a member of AUREO's executive committee.
According to Mithoefer, UC Merced captured the attention of the AUREO awards committee for applying a high level of creativity to solve real estate issues in a cost-effective manner and demonstrating the value of flexibility in planning.
“I am very honored that the UC Merced campus project was chosen by AUREO for its inaugural Award of Excellence,” said Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey. “Robert Hatheway was instrumental in leading the successful acquisition of land for the campus and adjacent community, and I believe the execution of this complex transaction exemplifies excellence in real estate management on behalf of a university.”
Established in 1983 to advance the common interests of colleges and universities relating to real estate administration, AUREO currently has 175 members and represents many of the major universities in the United States and Canada. The Award of Excellence is the only award AUREO grants to a university.
UC Merced, the first major American research university to be built in the 21st century, currently employs approximately 120 educators and professionals and will grow to serve 25,000 students over the coming decades. Expected to open in fall 2004, the campus held its official groundbreaking on October 25, 2002. In addition to the main campus, UC Merced is using digital technology to create an educational network that serves the students and communities of the San Joaquin Valley.
