A Century of Community: Exploring the History of the Centennial Student Union

The Centennial Student Union stands as a cornerstone of campus life. These unions serve as vital hubs, fostering community and providing essential services to students, faculty, and alumni alike. Their stories are rich with tradition, adaptation, and a commitment to serving the evolving needs of their campus communities. This article delves into the history of several such unions, highlighting their origins, key milestones, and enduring significance.

Michigan State University Union: A Legacy of Gathering and Growth

The Michigan State University (MSU) Union, a landmark building on campus, is celebrating a century of service. Over the years, the iconic building has hosted countless activities and events, shaping memories that stretch across decades. Throughout its history, the union has been a constant home for students and student organizations, accommodating everything from dances and meetings to organizing and protests. It also has housed key campus institutions, including the Alumni Association, the State News, MSU Yearbook, and Fraternity and Sorority Life, to name a few.

Centennial Kickoff Event

The MSU Union is celebrating 100 years as a cornerstone of campus life. The centennial kickoff event, planned since November 2023, will feature old-school Polaroid photos with the Bronze Sparty statue and a giant inflatable slide on the Union's east lawn. The event will include face painting, caricature drawings, a photo booth, cupcakes from the MSU Bakery, and ice cream from the MSU Dairy Store. There will be amazing historical displays. Molly Chrome, retail manager at the Spartan Spirit Shop and a member of the planning committee, helped design the centennial’s branded merchandise, including stickers, magnets, and buttons that will be handed out at the kickoff event and throughout the year. In addition to the giveaways, a custom-designed tartan pattern - based on the Union’s geographic coordinates and traditional MSU colors - will appear on scarves, socks, and other items available in the Spartan Spirit Shop by fall.

Reflecting on the Past

Beyond the planned celebrations, the centennial is a chance to reflect on the MSU Union’s place in campus history. In 1949, the lounge area was added, creating what became known as the “women’s lounge”- a space reserved for female students for many years. As Cathy Fitzpatrick said, “There's so many folks that I've talked to and alumni that have such great memories of being able to use that space for what they needed. Whether it was just to completely study, some would take a nap."

Adapting to Modern Needs

In recent years, efforts have shifted toward refreshing and repurposing interior spaces. Fitzpatrick said the space sat unused for several years until she returned as director and helped reimagine it. That new pantry, called “Spartan Shelf-Union,” is modeled after a program at the University of Iowa and aims to normalize access to basic needs services by placing them in highly trafficked spaces. As Fitzpatrick said, “We will have in the Union what the students need.”

Read also: Student Housing at CSU Pueblo

Personal Connections

Cathy Fitzpatrick shared her personal connection to the MSU Union: “Because of my involvement with the University Activities Board, I met my husband. I had my wedding reception in this building, and then my baby shower in this building. To then come back to this building in 2002 and become the director has been just a highlight of my career here. I’ve found my niche and what I like to do. I like the management, I like the merchandise and the buying, and I love watching people’s expressions - especially when students get to help with that. It means I’ve been part of something bigger, that I’ve contributed to its success, and that’s very important to me."

Memorials within the Union

As part of ongoing efforts to preserve and highlight that legacy, the MSU Union now features two prominent memorials: a historic plaque commemorating Spartan service members and a newly installed memorial at the west entrance steps. These markers not only acknowledge the building’s past but also reaffirm its enduring significance within the MSU community. Cathy Fitzpatrick, the director of the MSU Union and MSU Alumni Memorial Chapel, emphasized the importance of these memorials in preserving institutional memory, noting that they focus on “some of the most important pieces of the history of the MSU Union.”

M.A.C. Memorial Union Plaque

The MSU Union was built in the years following World War I. After a period marked by war and hardship, universities across the country began constructing union buildings to serve as centers of campus life. Spartans, too, needed a place to gather - a place to celebrate current and future generations while honoring Spartan veterans. The new M.A.C. Memorial Union plaque, mounted on the exterior wall on the south side of the west entrance to the MSU Union, commemorates the 1,400 MSU students and alumni who served in the Great War. The inscription recognizes the union as a “gathering place for all Spartans,” honoring the spirit of camaraderie and unity that has long defined the MSU community. Fitzpatrick partnered with Patrick Forystek, director of the Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students at MSU, on the plaque. Forystek says, “CVMAS is honored to partner with the MSU Union to recognize the history of our beloved union. Recognizing our shared history in this way is important to our campus and community, and it shows MSU’s commitment to honoring the sacrifices so many of our Spartans have given in service to our country.”

Alumni Association War Memorial Plaque

Most recently kept at the Alumni Memorial Chapel, the Alumni Association War Memorial plaque was a gift from the Washington, D.C., M.S.C. Association (a regional alumni club) and honors lives lost in the Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War I. Weighing over 200 pounds, the plaque was first displayed in the union before updates to the building resulted in it being moved to the chapel at an unknown time. The plaque has now been returned to its original home at the MSU Union in the main concourse. In honor of the building’s recent centennial celebration, Fitzpatrick felt like it was the right time to move the plaque back to the MSU Union. As she puts it, “It’s the union’s history,” and she’s proud to have this important historical marker back at the union. The plaque has led Fitzpatrick on a deep dive into the union’s history. “When you uncover pieces of history like that, you can’t help but honor it,” Fitzpatrick says. These historical markers serve as an important reminder of why the MSU Union was built 100 years ago, the building’s connection to Spartan service members and veterans, and what the MSU Union continues to stand for to this day.

Early History of the MSU Union

The history of the MSU Union dates back to 1905, when Michigan State University was known as Michigan Agricultural College (MAC) and its student body numbered just 351 students. Since the 1880’s, college unions had multiplied across the country, and there was great interest at MAC in building a center where students could gather. A committee formed to plan the union, but without the funding, the project was just talk. Ten years later, the MAC Class of 1915 pledged a $5 contribution from each student. World War I intervened, and efforts for a union ground to a halt.

After the war, plans recommenced, and planners changed the name to the Memorial Union, in honor of American soldiers who had perished in service to the country. By June of 1923, the Alumni Association moved forward with the ground-breaking ceremony, but could not continue without the necessary funds. However, in 1923, people believed in rolling up their sleeves, pitching in, and doing things themselves. Robert J. McCarthy, the Alumni Association’s Secretary, organized “Excavation Week” November 19 - 24 of 1923, and male students, faculty, and volunteers were organized into teams of 30 to dig the foundation for the Memorial Union Building. It was hard labor, but they were good sports about it and enjoyed competing with their profs for prizes each day. They were excused from class and assigned to work in 4-hour shifts, while the Varsity band played and the female students served refreshments. “Excavation Week” was a one-of-a-kind event and a huge success-it received national attention, which helped to get contributions rolling in again. But when construction stalled due to lack of funds, Michigan’s then-governor Alex J.

At last the MAC Memorial Union opened June 12, 1925. The Pond brothers employed a Scholastic Gothic style of construction, and hired many artists to create the many paintings and sculptures that adorn the building inside and out. All of the fireplaces were lined with Pewabic tiles. Over the south entrance of the Union, Samuel A. The new building had a 955-capacity second-floor, two-story auditorium for dining, dancing, and meetings. There were 16 private guest rooms on the second and third floors for alumni and friends; a barber shop; a bookstore; a beauty salon; a large centralized kitchen, and the offices of the Alumni Association. The Union became the center of campus life, and it was constantly hopping. Since its opening in 1925, the Union has undergone many additions and renovations. In 1955, when the University officially changed its name to Michigan State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, the building became known as the MSU Union. A handicap-accessible ramp was added. Guest rooms were converted, and other functions moved into the Union. Jacqueline D.

Colorado State University: Centennial Hall

Colorado State University also has a rich history associated with its student union buildings, particularly with the building now known as Centennial Hall.

From Student Union Annex to Centennial Hall

On January 12, 1950, the State Board of Agriculture approved the funds to build an annex building for the Student Union. Designed by Eugene G. Groves, construction began by the Abrahamson Builders Company of Colorado Springs the spring of 1950. This “Art Moderne style” building just a few feet south of Johnson Hall was opened in September 1951 and marked the end of the era of Eugene G. This new annex to the existing Johnson Hall Student Union contained office space for six student organizations, an expanded dining room, additional banquet rooms, a small ballroom, and a specifically designed campus self-service bookstore. The new bookstore replaced the makeshift “Student Union Bookstore” that was opened in a few remodeled rooms of the Johnson Hall Student Union in August 1950. Lyle Peterson was a local bookstore professional hired to be its manager. He worked with Mr. Groves on its design. Mr.

The top floor had separate offices for the Silver Spruce staff, the Rocky Mountain Collegian staff, the Associated Students, the “A” Club, the Independent Students Association, and the Associated Women Students. The new ballroom was one-third the size of the large ballroom in Johnson Hall. The Annex was physically connected to the Student Union by a main floor hallway and a basement tunnel, creating a sprawling Student Union complex. The main floor hallway was equipped with trash chute that allowed custodians to drop bags of trash down to a trash trailer. This new space allowed for a variety of conferences and large meetings to be held on the campus. The basement of the Annex housed a game room with pool and ping pong tables and a six-lane bowling alley. The bowling alley would not open for another year due to a shortage of funds.

The slope of the site allowed the east side of the building to have a walkout basement, and thus the lower level was well-lit by six large windows. The basement of the new Annex also housed large storage refrigerators for the meat shop and the food preparation areas. An elevator was now available to be used to move the prepared food up to the kitchen servicing the dining room, ballroom, and meeting rooms. The east side had a large doorway at the south end to give access to the basement. The students living in Braiden and South Halls now ate their meals in the new cafeteria. The old Braiden kitchen building became a storage area.

The Student Union Annex allowed for some remodeling of rooms in Johnson Hall. Following the opening of the new CSU Student Center in 1962, this building was “sold” to the University, renovated, and became known as the “Administration Annex” as it became home the Office of Admissions and Records. The kitchens became the centralized bake shop and meat shop for the residence hall dining centers operated by the Department of Housing and Food Service. The old bowling alley became their central storeroom.

In the 1970s, a loading dock with ramp to the ground level was constructed on the east side of the building and was accessed by a service drive next to the railroad tracks. The five windows on the east wall of the old game room were blocked off as they now sat behind the newly constructed freestanding loading dock. The sixth window on the far north end was made into a doorway. Additionally, delivery trucks supplying the food preparation area could back up to the Annex for unloading at a small loading dock on the west side of the building using the narrow driveway between the south side of Johnson Hall and the Annex.

In the fall of 1978, the architectural designs of architect Mike Kinzer of CSU and the Architectural Resource Group were used to do the renovations needed that added an elevator and connective wing to serve both the Student Services Building and the Administration Annex. This was one of the first projects around campus to give better access to wheelchair bound users. Used to house the Registrar’s Office, the Student Financial Services office, and the Student Employment Services office, it was renamed “Centennial Hall".

Around 2010, the Department of Housing and Dining Services moved out of Centennial Hall when the bake shop was moved into the kitchen at Edwards Hall, the central storeroom was moved to the Housing Services Center at University Village and the meat shop was eliminated. In 2017, the old “Central Storeroom - Food Services” sign still hung over the old loading dock along with the faded painted signs warning to drivers to shut down their engines while using the loading dock.

Minnesota State University, Mankato: Centennial Student Union

Minnesota State University, Mankato also boasts a Centennial Student Union (CSU) that plays a central role in campus life.

A Hub of Activity

The CSU is a student building fully funded through student fees and generated revenue. The CSU policies, budget and direction are set in consultation with the Union Board. The CSU is currently directed is Mark Constantine. Past directors were Laurie Woodward, Ph.D. The CSU MavAve Food Court is served by University Dining Services and offers several food vendor options ranging from sub sandwiches and salads to Chick-fil-a and Taco Bell. The CSU recognizes student leadership with its 55-foot BEST Board located in the CSU Hearth Lounge. The CSU is home to the LGBT Center. The CSU houses all commercial vendors on campus including a credit union, computer store, the campus Maverick Shop Bookstore and retail dining services. The CSU operates with 60+ student staff members who assist the CSU's 14 full-time professional staff.

Opening and Expansions

The CSU opened October 27, 1967, during Homecoming Week. The building was officially dedicated on May 3, 1968. It was named Centennial Student Union as then Mankato State College celebrated its 100th anniversary. The CSU main entrance originally faced west (the main south entrance was part of the 2005 renovation). The CSU has been expanded three times since it was first constructed. The CSU underwent its first expansion in 1972. The CSU expanded in 1999 with a two-story addition to the west of the main building to expand student organization offices.

Modern Amenities

The CSU Ballroom, renovated in 2011, features 17 wall projectors. The CSU Ballroom became Minnesota’s first conference space to offer seamless, near-surround video projection. The wood used on the ceiling was repurposed from the walls of the original ballroom. The CSU reopened Ostrander Auditorium in Fall 2009 after extensive renovation. Since then, Ostrander Auditorium has received awards and trade magazine recognition as an exemplary multi-use space applying the latest in audio and video technology.

The Enduring Significance of College Unions

College unions and student activity centers play a vital role in the campus experience. They are more than just buildings; they are dynamic spaces that adapt to the changing needs of students and the broader university community. As Steve Chaplin, managing editor of ACUI’s The Bulletin and manager of the ACUI College Union and Student Activities (CUSA) Evaluation Program, notes, these unions have enduring touchstones and evolving roles.

ACUI and the Wisconsin Union have announced “A Centennial Blueprint for the College Union,” an initiative meant to define, validate, and advocate for the enduring touchstones and evolving roles of the college union. The initiative will culminate with a professional toolkit that ensures the relevancy, sustainability, and the impact of college unions into the next century. Volunteers are going to be sought to contribute to this project.

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