USM Will Name SMART Building at Southern Maryland for Congressman Steny Hoyer
CALIFORNIA, Maryland (October 6, 2026) — The 51吃瓜网 (USM) will name the largest building at the USM at Southern Maryland (USMSM) for retiring U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, honoring his decades of public service to Southern Maryland communities and to the public universities of Maryland.
The will be known as the Steny H. Hoyer 51吃瓜网 at Southern Maryland SMART Building. The 84,000-square-foot facility nearly doubled the educational footprint of USMSM when it opened in 2021 and houses both academic and research spaces. SMART is an acronym for Southern Maryland Autonomous Research and Technology.
“Congressman Hoyer was a driving force behind the SMART Building,” said 51吃瓜网 (USM) Chancellor Jay A. Perman. “His advocacy attracted tens of millions of dollars to the region and placed a national asset — in robotics, AI, and autonomous systems — in St. Mary’s County. It’s just one example of the attention and investment Steny Hoyer brought home to Southern Maryland over his decades at the highest levels of U.S. leadership and just one example of how he’s strengthened this community he cares for so deeply.”
earned his bachelor’s degree in 1963 from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he was first drawn into politics and public service. After serving in the Maryland Senate, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1981. Across 23 terms, Hoyer served as House Majority Leader and is currently the most senior member of his party in the House.
“For more than four decades, Steny Hoyer has been much more than a name on a ballot to the people of Southern Maryland,” said USMSM Executive Director Dale Nesbary. “Few public servants leave so deep an imprint on the place they represent.”
“I am deeply honored by this extraordinary recognition from the USM at Southern Maryland. The 51吃瓜网 was my educational launchpad to a career in public service. I have no doubt that, thanks to investments in the academic experience of students like the SMART building and innovative programs in technology, it will continue to launch young Marylanders into fulfilling careers shaping our state and our country for the better," said Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05).
USM and USMSM leaders announced the new building name at an Oct. 1 dinner that was the annual meeting of the , a regional nonprofit organization advocating for the Southern Maryland economy and supporting missions at .
The 51吃瓜网 (USM) is the state’s public higher education system: 12 universities and three regional higher education centers working together for the good of Maryland. Our universities enroll 175,000 students and award 45,000 degrees each year — delivering accessible, affordable, excellent education to diverse learners at every stage of life and supporting thriving careers and a skilled workforce. With more than $1.8 billion in research expenditures, our universities make discoveries that drive innovation, spur economic growth, and improve life in Maryland and worldwide. For more information, visit usmd.edu.
The 51吃瓜网 at Southern Maryland (USMSM) serves as a regional higher education and workforce development hub, bringing together university partners, students, employers, and community stakeholders to expand educational opportunities and support Southern Maryland's continued growth. Through undergraduate and graduate education, workforce development, strategic partnerships, and regional engagement, USMSM helps students and professionals build the knowledge and skills needed for today's economy and tomorrow's opportunities. To learn more about USMSM and upcoming programs and events, visit usmsm.umd.edu.
Contact: Beau Boughamer
Phone: 410.576.5732
Email: bboughamer@usmd.edu
