Local activists are continuing a call to name the Campus Center at the University of Massachusetts-Boston after the late state Senator George Kenneally, who co-authored legislation that brought the public university to Columbia Point.

"In light of the fact that he was really one of the more seminal leaders who advocated for the creation of UMass-Boston, I felt it would be a great tribute to name a major building after him," said former state Senator Paul White.

Former UMass-Boston Chancellor Jo Ann Gora originally sought to utilize the naming rights of the building as revenue for the university, perhaps naming the building after a major donor. But such a donor has not yet materialized, and proponents of naming the building after Kenneally believe their proposal still deserves consideration.

"I certainly respect and understand that they want to raise money for the university," said White, who added that it would be a great tribute to name one of the campus' major buildings for Kenneally.

State Representative Martin Walsh previously filed legislation to honor Kenneally by naming the Campus Center for him, but said that there are other possible areas of the campus that could bear the Kenneally name, possibly the plaza beside Healey Library.

"George Kenneally is among the visionaries who made sure that [UMass-Boston] ended up here," said Walsh. Naming some piece of the campus after him would only be appropriate, Walsh contends.

According Ed Hayward, vice chancellor for public affairs at UMass-Boston, no decisions about naming any spaces or buildings on campus have been made.

"Local activists have brought the naming issue to our attention, but as of recently we haven't made any progress on any naming opportunities on campus," said Hayward.

&emdash;Brian Denitzio