MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Soon the iconic bells heard on the University of New Hampshire campus to the east will be heard in Manchester's mill yard as the university expands its urban footprint to the historic Pandora building at 88 Commercial Street.

The historic Pandora building, which sat vacant for more than three decades with trees growing from the rooftop, will be restored to its glory as the gem of Manchester's mill yard, preparing tomorrow's future leaders.

"UNH's campus in Manchester is an amazing asset for the city and for the region," said UNH President Mark Huddleston at an event last night celebrating the expansion and move of the Manchester campus. "The expansion signals the university's commitment to its role in Manchester and to Merrimack Valley area businesses who count on work-ready UNH graduates."

This sentiment was echoed throughout the evening as dignitaries and community leaders discussed the need for a pipeline of well-educated students in areas of science and technology. 

"This college's focus on technology is representative of how UNH is meeting the employment needs for the future and giving our students the resources they need," said U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH). "The education here at UNH Manchester will prepare our children for the 21st century economy."

This summer, the University System of New Hampshire board of trustees voted unanimously to support the sale of UNH's current building at 400 Commercial Street to DEKA in exchange for a long-term lease with the option to buy the Pandora building. "The project marries two of my passions - education and my love for this city," said Pamela Diamantis, chair of the USNH Board of Trustees.

The move, slated for March 2015, will consolidate the college into one location and provide a 44% increase in space over the current location at 400 Commercial Street. The space will allow for new and upgraded labs focusing in areas of engineering and computing technology, mechanical engineering technology, digital media, sign language interpretation, psychology, biology and chemistry. The biological sciences program, which saw a more than 20% increase in enrollment this fall, will have five new labs, including a new area for cell biology.

This year the college introduces new programs in Analytics, Accounting, Computer Science & Entrepreneurship and English Teaching while also redesigning and expanding current programs to respond to market needs. The college expects to grow its student base to 1,000 over the next four years.

Dean Kamen, founder and CEO of DEKA, sees the expansion of UNH in Manchester as a win for the region and workforce development. "We have to get a much larger group of well-educated people here. I'm struggling to find good people," said Kamen. "We need a pipeline and we need the next generation of technologists and leaders." 

Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas acknowledged that Kamen believed in the city's mill yard long before anyone knew what was possible. "Working with Dean and UNH Manchester is very exciting for this city," said Gatsas.

"This building is just the start. It provides a foundation for success," said UNH Manchester Dean J. Michael Hickey. "Just as the Pandora building represents the past economic vitality of the Greater Manchester region, our new UNH Manchester campus will be a force for the future of economic growth and social well-being of the city."

"The education you get at UNH and at UNH Manchester is the future," said Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH). "This school will serve our city, state and country very well."

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,300 undergraduate and 2,200 graduate students.

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UNH Manchester Dean J. Michael Hickey, UNH President Mark Huddleston and DEKA CEO and Founder Dean Kamen celebrate the expansion of the university's campus in Manchester and sale of 400 Commercial Street to DEKA.
Courtesy Photo

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UNH Manchester Dean J. Michael Hickey speaking about the expansion of the college's campus to the historic Pandora mill building at 88 Commercial Street.
Courtesy Photo

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UNH Manchester  Dean J. Michael Hickey addresses a crowd gathered to celebrate the expansion of the college's campus to the historic Pandora mill building at 88 Commercial Street.
Courtesy Photo