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1996- Marine research
1996- Endowed scholarships
1996-Sustainable living
1998- Climate change research
1999- Libary renovations
1999/2000- Hubbard Brothers Endowed Chair
2000- Biological sciences endowment
2000- Genome studies
2002- Leitzel Center

The generosity of Leslie Hubbard also established the Marine Program Endowment in 1996 with a gift of more than $8 million, providing research opportunities at the Ocean Process Analysis Laboratory and helping to build the 50-foot research vessel "Gulf Challenger." Hubbard gifts also have helped fund the construction of the Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Building, a state-of-the-art facility that houses the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, and allowed for the completion of the new Environmental Technology Building.

In 2002, Leslie Hubbard also provided the $2 million gift that launched the Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education, in honor of the university's 17th president and her late husband James, who had died in 1998 while serving on the faculty of the mathematics department. And of course, it was Leslie whose generosity provided the $2 million in start-up funding that helped launch the foundation itself.

"I've never seen such a remarkable family commitment to philanthropy," says DeGrandpre. "Each brother had different interests, but overlying it all was a concern for poverty and with access to education for ordinary Americans." Their only fault, DeGrandpre says, jesting, was their humility. "They didn't want the credit. But I knew their example would impel others to give."

John '50 and Carol Hubbard
A LEGACY CONTINUES: John Hubbard '50 and wife Carol Hubbard of Walpole, N.H.

In recent years, foundation board member John Hubbard '50, son of Austin, has continued the family tradition. His decision to give to the Dimond Library begins with a confession: "I hardly set foot in the library during my four years at UNH," he says, chuckling. "But in recent years I had been in often and seen the poor condition of the building--especially that horrible orange carpeting! Carol and I agreed a gift to the library would help an awful lot of other people." That $1 million gift helped to complete the library renovation project in 1999 and provided a beautiful, peaceful setting in which to study and read--encouraging plenty of students, no doubt, to spend more time in the library.

In the midst of all this giving--more than $50 million total--the Hubbard family always maintained its quintessential New England style of philanthropy: unassuming, quiet, and often anonymous. "All three brothers were reticent," says John Hubbard, a modest man himself. "They didn't want a lot of honors and attention." It wasn't until 2000, when John and other living family members agreed, at the university's request, to establish an award of recognition with the Hubbard name on it, that more people became aware of the indelible mark the family has had on the university. Presented periodically, the Hubbard Family Award for Service to Philanthropy recognizes outstanding donors who have helped to advance public higher education at the university. The goal, of course, is to thank those who have given and inspire others to follow, in their own way, the Hubbard example. "The Hubbards have always understood that UNH plays a pivotal role in the region's growth and prosperity," says Young Dawkins, former president of the UNH Foundation. "They have set the standard for philanthropy at the university, and it is fitting that we name our highest honor after this exemplary family."

The Hubbard award recognizes service, as well as financial support, honoring a family legacy that includes gifts of time and talent, as well as remarkable financial support. Austin Hubbard served on the USNH Board of Trustees from 1940 to 1962. His son John was a founding member of the UNH Foundation and remains its longest serving member. "It hasn't been all peaches and cream," John Hubbard says of the challenges faced during the foundation's first two decades. But he is characteristically matter-of-fact about the growing pains that accompany a start-up idea. He comes, after all, from a family that understands hard work--from a family who knows that success takes time and that, someday, the fruits of work well done can have a far-reaching impact for good on the lives of others.

A man of few words, John Hubbard is straightforward about the foundation's role in UNH's future. "I don't see state support getting any better," he says, noting that UNH gets only 14 percent of its budget from the state. "We need a foundation to actively raise funds to support UNH programs." Thanks to the UNH Foundation, the Hubbard family legacy will continue at the university, without fanfare, as quiet, unassuming--and effective--as ever. ~


From the Ground Up was a project of the UNH Foundation directors emeriti to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the UNH Foundation to foster private support for New Hampshire's flagship public university. The book was published by Xlibris in 2009. The authors are Suki Casanave '86G with the UNH Foundation Directors Emeriti History Committee: Val England '54, chair, Betty Hoadley '57; Mel Rines '47, Jack Weeks '55, Allan Prince and Penny Wakefield '69.

To order a copy, visit http://alumni.unh.edu/marketplace or financingpublicuniversities.com.


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