Morrill Hall, named after Justin S. Morrill, was demolished in June after it was found fiscally impractical to repair its deteriorated condition.

Morrill served as a U.S. representative and senator in Vermont and sponsored the Morrill Act of 1862, which provided federal funding to what then was known as Michigan Agricultural College, saving the funding-bereft institution from sale to the University of Michigan.

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon spoke at the event thanking College of Agriculture and Natural Resources leaders for coming forward with the recommendation. Simon said the recognition of Morrill’s significance was a point of pride for the university.

“We want to keep this spirit alive because we’re so proud of who we are at our core,” Simon said. “For us as an institution, it’s not just about celebrating his legacy, it’s about celebrating enduring values.”

Simon also discussed plans to dedicate the commemorative plaza that is replacing Morrill Hall in the former U.S. representative’s name.

Scheduled to be completed this fall, the plaza will serve as what Simon deemed a “green gathering space.”

“The idea of Morrill Plaza will be to recognize the work collectively of our faculty, staff and extraordinary students who have done so much to move the idea of the land grant mission forward,” Simon said.

About 40 members of the Morrill family were in ?attendance for the ceremony. Each received a commemorative brick from the demolished hall after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Signs salvaged from the ?previous hall have been placed in the new Morrill Hall of Agriculture’s atrium.

Although Morrill did not have roots in Michigan, ?several of his descendants have ties with MSU.

Both Brad Morrill and his parents attended the university, and Douglas Morrill is an employee with Infrastructure, Planning and Facilities.

“It’s just an honor a privilege to work here and be around such outstanding people,” Douglas Morrill said. ?“It’s truly been a joy.”