Richard Jessor Building (Sarah Taylor/CU Independent)
On Tuesday, the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder held an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renaming of the institute’s building to the Richard Jessor Building. The rename, approved by the Board of Regents, was in honor of Richard Jessor, the longest-standing faculty member of CU Boulder and co-founder of the Institute of Behavioral Science.
Current IBS director Lori Hunter opened the ceremony and spoke about the importance of the institute and its research efforts to the university. The Institute of Behavioral Science was established in 1957 as the second research institute at CU Boulder. Today, there are 12.
Former Chancellor Phil DiStefano cut the ribbon alongside Jessor’s wife – Distinguished Professor Jane Menken – and Peter Spear – former dean of arts and sciences. It was the ribbon cutters who initially brought forth the idea of renaming the building.
Prominent figures representing both the university and Boulder came in support, including CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz, Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Gabe Evans and members of the Boulder City Council.
“I think what we’re doing is a formality,” Schwartz said to the audience. “I think his name was already prevalent to this institute, and now we’re just finally as a university, recognizing that, memorializing that this place has been shaped for over half a century by his work.”
Jessor recently turned 100 and has more than 50 years of experience in academia. Prior to his research career, Jessor served in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. His research specialized in adolescent development in which he coined the Problem Behavior Theory. Jessor served as IBS Director from 1980 to 2001.
Hunter invited the guests to explore each program after the ceremony. The building is divided into five research programs carrying seven centers, all multi-faceted and interconnected. In a series of flash talks, leading researchers representing each program briefed their current findings.
Sociology professor Lori Peek is the director of the Natural Hazards Center. Her most recent research focused on making emergency alert language inclusive and accessible. Those recommendations were implemented in H.R. 1237, “Inclusive Language Emergency Situations” in 2023. Peek has seen the institute evolve significantly over the past 20 years as a former student and faculty member.
“Something really special about this institute is the world-class quality of the research that happens here, and the commitment to apply that research for the betterment of humanity,” Peek said following the ceremony.
In the early years of IBS, members were scattered across campus with only two dedicated meeting rooms in the Hellems Arts and Sciences building. Having a shared space has made research more collaborative across disciplines, Peek and Hunter both said.
“All of these programs are now under one roof, thanks to (Jessor),” Hunter said.
In further celebration of Jessor’s lifetime achievements, the Boulder City Council declared Dec. 19 as Dr. Dick Jessor Day, signed off by Mayor Aaron Brockett.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sarah Taylor at sarah.taylor@colorado.edu
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Brooke Getzoff at brooke.getzoff@colorado.edu
