Campus Journal News Briefs State approves renovation money for Murkland Hall The state legislature approved more than $30 million in building improvements, including money for Murkland Hall renovations. It is the second installment of a $100 million package earmarked for systemwide improvements that legislators authorized last year. The first three projects include Murkland Hall, Mason Library at Keene State and Boyd Hall at Plymouth State. The $100 million KEEP package is the largest capital request ever embraced by legislators and the governor. Improvements will be made over six years. United Way giving increases Nearly 500 UNH employees contributed almost $75,000 during the annual United Way Campaign, which ended Dec. 14. The figure represents a 20 percent increase in giving, which Gregg Sanborn, executive assistant to the president, attributed to a desire to contribute following the Sept. 11 attacks. Giving included 13 leadership gifts of more than $1,000. Last year, the drive generated only six or seven leadership gifts, he said. Student nominations sought Each year, faculty and staff recognize outstanding full-time students enrolled in a degree program by nominating them for student awards. These 15 scholarships and awards recognize students who have achieved academic success, exemplified citizenship, and served UNH and larger community. The nomination deadline for 2002 student awards is noon, March 4. Nomination forms, which were sent via campus mail to faculty and staff, are available at the Office of Student Life or online at www.unh.edu/awards. Information: Gavin Henning at 2-3611 or by e-mail at gavin.henning@unh.edu. Whittemore School wins grant The Whittemore School and its Small Business Development Center (SBDC) were awarded the first $100,000 of a five-year Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Whittemore School and its new Hamel Center for the Management of Technology provided matching funds which helped attract the federal program, says Mary Collins, SBDC director. Bob Ebberson, an SBDC regional manager for New Hampshire who will manage FAST, says one of the program's goals is to help businesses, especially those in rural areas, compete more successfully for grants in the national Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.