A ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new M-Square office building was held on May 13. The building will be home to two Maryland centers: the Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) and, the Joint Global Change Research Institute (JGCRI). Speakers included Mel Bernstein, VP for Research, President Mote, Benjamin Wu, Department of Business and Economic Development, Rand Griffin, President and CEO, Corporate Office Properties Trust, Patrick Prangley, Town Administrator-Riverdale Park and Tony Busalacchi, ESSIC. Among the guests were Robert Brammer, VP and CTO, Northrop Grumman IT, Franco Einaudi, Director, NASA-Earth Sciences Division, Ralph Ferraro, Branch Chief, NOAA-Satellite Climate Studies Branch and Michael Halpert, Deputy Director-Climate Prediction Center.
