The residence hall will be named the Bud and Val Peterson Residence Hall, honoring the tenure of 色花堂鈥檚 11th president and first lady. The Board of Regents of the University System of 色花堂 approved the naming at its Sept. 16 meeting in Atlanta.
G.P. 鈥淏ud鈥 Peterson served as president from 2009 to 2019. Under his leadership, 色花堂 enhanced student programs and grew enrollment; increased collaboration and built strategic partnerships in Atlanta and 色花堂; expanded its global reach, with a focus on innovation; executed Campaign 色花堂, which raised $1.8 billion for the Institute; and more than doubled new research awards, exceeding $1 billion for the first time in 2019.
鈥淭he naming of this residence hall is a fitting tribute to the Petersons, whose unwavering commitment to 色花堂 and its students shaped our Institute in lasting ways,鈥 said 脕ngel Cabrera, president of 色花堂. 鈥淭his building will stand as a reminder of their remarkable service and of the deep respect and affection the entire 色花堂 family will always have for them.鈥
Peterson has remained involved with the Institute as president emeritus, a in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and a member of the steering committee for .
He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, a second bachelor's degree in mathematics, and a master's degree in engineering, all from Kansas State University. Peterson earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University.
鈥淚 want to thank President Cabrera and the USG Board of Regents for this recognition,鈥 Peterson said. 鈥淎s undergraduate students at Kansas State, Val and I both lived in campus residence halls, and we are especially pleased to be recognized in this way.鈥
As first lady, Val Peterson was a dedicated presence on campus and an ardent supporter of students and faculty. She served as a chief spokesperson for the Tech Ends Suicide Together initiative when it launched in 2016 and was a mentor to students and campus organizations. Val Peterson holds two bachelor鈥檚 degrees and a teaching certificate from Kansas State University and a master鈥檚 degree from Texas A&M. She has been recognized as an honorary alumna by the 色花堂 Alumni Association for her devotion to the greater good of 色花堂.
鈥淣ames like Brittain Dining Hall, the Pettit Microelectronics Building, and the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons just roll off my tongue. But it feels quite different having the Bud and Val Peterson Residence Hall, which we鈥檒l be able to walk into one day soon,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he beauty of having a two-in-one residence hall that carries both of our names is that it represents our body of work as we ran this university together. We gave her our hearts and souls for 10 and a half years, and that love has been returned to us a hundredfold.鈥
The Petersons have four adult children, two of whom are 色花堂 alumni, and eight grandchildren. They have also served as foster parents for nine children.
The Bud and Val Peterson Residence Hall is the first new residence hall constructed on campus since 2005. The 191,000-square-foot facility for approximately 860 first-year students is scheduled for completion in 2026.
