DARTMOUTH — UMass Dartmouth has renamed the Center for Civic Engagement after Fall River natives Robert and Jeanne Leduc as part of its focus on civic engagement and service learning this week.

Robert Leduc, who graduated from then-Southeastern Massachusetts University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1978, has risen through the ranks of United Technologies Corporation and is president of Hamilton Sundstrand, a company that designs, manufactures and services military, commercial and business aircraft systems.

In addition to sitting on the board of Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Leduc is also a trustee of the UMass Dartmouth Foundation.

Explaining the motive behind his gift to the university Leduc said in a press release from the school, "It's a point of pride and an expression of our belief in investing in the people and places that have been a part of my life, and the lives of my wife and children."

Robert was joined by his wife, Jeanne, their families, Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, Sen. Michael Rodrigues, state Rep. Christopher Markey, UMass Board of Trustees Chairman James Karam, and hundreds of guests, according to the release.

University Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack said, "What shines through about Bob and Jeanne is a deeply rooted belief in young people, and a belief that meaningful civic engagement is both an obligation of this young generation and an opportunity. Staying true to that commitment, from this day forward, begins right here at the Robert and Jeanne Leduc Center for Civic Engagement."

UMD officials said Jeanne Roy Leduc was born and raised in Fall River, one of 11 children of the late Russell, and Mrs. Theresa Roy. From Jeanne's professional commitment as an emergency room nurse for 20 years, to her volunteer activities in soup kitchens and her role as a founding member of the Board of Directors and supporter of the African Teacher's Foundation of Westport, her life of service was cited as inspiration by her husband and by her brother, Civic Engagement Center Director Dr. Matthew H. Roy.

State Rep. Chris Markey thanked the Leducs for their donation and service.

The center is located in the Liberal Arts building on campus, and the gift allowed the university to organize and label the space. The school did not reveal the amount of the gift.

Moving forward, the gift will go directly to strengthening SouthCoast Serves, a partnership of 35 non-profits managed by the center. School officials said it will also help the school reach its goal of ensuring that every UMD student graduates with at least one service-learning experience, and will allow staff and faculty to plan more ambitious and effective classes and programs that are fully integrated with service- learning.

UMass Dartmouth was recently named as one of the nation's top 12 colleges and universities — and only honoree in Massachusetts — on the President's Honor Roll for Community Service, which recognizes exceptional commitment to service learning.

Last year, UMass Dartmouth students and faculty gave 179,000 hours of service valued at almost $5 million to the communities of southeastern Massachusetts.