Iowa State University Memorial Union: A Living Legacy of Remembrance and Service
For nearly a century, the Memorial Union (MU) at Iowa State University has stood as a vibrant hub, offering students and the broader community a versatile space for meetings, weddings, national speakers, concerts, art classes, conferences, and countless other events. Ideally situated at the heart of the campus, the MU fosters a strong sense of community among students. By encouraging involvement beyond the classroom, it empowers students to discover their sense of belonging, amplify their voices, develop their leadership skills, and engage in meaningful interactions.
Originally conceived as a living tribute to the hundreds of Iowa Staters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country, the MU provides students with a welcoming "second home" during their college years. Continuous upgrades and renovations ensure that this "living room of campus" remains a cherished space for its 1.3 million annual visitors for generations to come.
A Continuing Memorial
The Memorial Union stands as a perpetual monument to the men and women of Iowa State who have served the United States in armed conflicts. The building first opened its doors in 1928, with subsequent additions completed in 1939, 1952, 1958, 1965, and 1967, reflecting the evolving needs of the university and its growing student population.
Several key figures have left an indelible mark on the Memorial Union's history:
Col. Harold Pride: Honored through the naming of the Col. Harold Pride Lounge, Pride served as the Union Director from 1928 to 1959 and as Secretary of the Union Corporation from 1922 to 1972. His long tenure and dedication earned him the affectionate title of "Mr. Memorial Union." He served in the Army during both World War I and World War II.
Read also: Iowa Universities
Charles Durham: A 1939 Iowa State alumnus in Civil Engineering, Durham is commemorated through the naming of the Great Hall in his honor (Charles W.).
Maurice J. Riggs: An 1883 Iowa State graduate in Civil Engineering, Riggs served as President of the Iowa State Alumni Association from 1920 to 1925 and as President of the Memorial Union Corporation from its inception in 1923 until 1925. He provided an early vision of the Memorial Union and impetus for a one-million-dollar fund raising effort to finance its construction.
Thomas R. Agg: As Dean of the College of Engineering from 1932 to 1946, Agg also served as Chairman of the Memorial Union Building Committee from 1926 to 1930 and Chairman of the Memorial Union Executive Committee from 1930 to 1946 (Thomas R.).
Early Years and Expansion
The Memorial Union officially opened to the campus community on September 23, 1928. Compared to its current size, the original building was considerably smaller. The Great Hall served as the sole ballroom, the Commons was half its present size, and there were no rooms flanking the Gold Star Hall.
By 1938, growing enrollment placed increased strain on the Union's facilities. T.R. Agg, then Chairman of the Memorial Union Executive Committee, proposed that students finance an expansion themselves. This proposal led to a student petition to the State Board of Regents for a special Memorial Union building fee of $2 per student.
Read also: The Story of UNI Panthers Football
In 1950, it became apparent that future space requirements at the Union exceeded all previous estimates. This led to the development of plans for the west side Terraces to be erected along with the Northwest Wing that filled in the space west of Gold Star Hall.
Recreation and Renovation
The Memorial Union has continuously adapted to meet the changing needs and interests of students. The original bowling alley was a popular addition, and in 1958, automatic pinsetters replaced the manual labor previously performed by students. The bowling alley even featured a mural painted by Karl Winkler, an architectural engineering student, depicting Rip Van Winkle encountering the spirits of Henry Hudson and his crew.
In 1995, declining interest in bowling and billiards led to the removal of six bowling lanes, with the billiards tables relocated to create a more compact facility, renamed the MU Recreation Center. In 2003, in the spirit of Rip Van Winkle, a student named Jeannie Scheffert, was commissioned to create a new image for a mural in the recreation area. The 2006-08 Memorial Union renovation and addition project has shed a whole new light on the Underground by opening floor to ceiling windows in the exterior walls of the space. In 2023, new wall wraps and a glass neon hanging sign were installed. On the bowling side, wall wraps reflect a paint drenched bowling ball and the neon pink paint glows in the black lights. CyBowl's signature logo was created into a glass neon sign that can be seen through the window from outside the South entrance!
The Genesis of a Living Memorial
The concept of a memorial to the Iowa Staters who had died in World War I emerged soon after the war's end in 1918. While initial ideas included a bronze plaque, a grotto, or a gateway arch, a group of students advocated for a "living memorial," "a building that would provide service to the college and preserve the memory of those that were lost."
In June 1920, students, faculty, and alumni reached a consensus, launching a fundraising campaign for the building. From 1923 to April 1925, discussions centered on the building's location. In 1926, the Des Moines architecture firm Proudfoot Rawson & Souers was contracted, and a basic design by William T. Proudfoot was accepted by the Memorial Union Board. The original design shows the north face of the building much as it looks today, however it was not completed until 1965.
Read also: UUI Tuition Costs
Architectural Evolution
Throughout its history, the Memorial Union has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing needs of Iowa State University.
1928: The original building consisted of the main five-story section, including the Great Hall, its adjacent east and west areas, and the Gold Star Hall to the north. On September 23, 1928, the first cafeteria line was opened. The next day, Memorial Union and Alumni Association administrators occupied their offices.
1938: Increased demand for space led to an addition to the south, creating the South Ballroom, the Pine Room, the original bowling alley in the basement, and an expanded Commons.
1948: Further expansion to the south added eight additional bowling lanes, the first section of the terraces, and improved food service areas on the first floor.
1950: Work began on the northwest corner, adding the west terraces, the areas now known as the Pride Lounge and the New Student Programs office, and the Chapel and Browsing Library.
1957-58: The Sun Room and old Bookstore areas were added.
1964-65: The northeast corner, part of the original design, was added, creating the Campanile Room, the Cardinal Room, the former Regency Room (currently a ladies restroom), the East Student Office Space, and the Pioneer Room.
1972: Increased demands on food service and the bookstore led to a southeast expansion, including new mechanical offices, expanded kitchen and bookstore storage and sales areas, and a new service dock with improved truck access.
1978-79: The southeast wing was completed with the addition of two more floors.
When constructed, floors four through six served as a hotel overlooking the views of Ames and Iowa State Campus before becoming student housing in 2016. The most recent renovation opened in the summer of 2024. With the relocation of various student services to floors four through six, other programs, such as the Dean of Studentsâ office, moved into the third floor.
Gold Star Hall: A Sacred Space
The memorial envisioned by the students of Iowa State is embodied in the limestone walls and stained glass windows of the Gold Star Hall. Located at the north entrance of the Memorial Union, the hall is named after a military tradition started in World War I. When a family had a son or daughter in service, they hung Service Flags or cards with a blue star for each child in their window.
The Gold Star Hall opened in 1928, its walls inscribed with the names of Iowa Staters who died in World War I. In 1969, World War II Iowa Statersâ casualties were mounted on two bronze doors in the Zodiac foyer.
While the Gold Star Hall opened its doors in 1928, the final piece of the original design was not installed until 1943. Twelve stained glass windows were planned, but due to lack of funds, clear glass was installed initially. In March 1942, a committee was appointed to oversee the installation of the stained glass windows. Harold W. Cummings, a member of the Iowa State Class of 1918 and World War I Veteran, designed the windows based on the committee's concept. Each window is designed around one of twelve "homely virtues": Learning, Virility, Courage, Patriotism, Justice, Faith, Determination, Love, Obedience, Loyalty, Integrity, and Tolerance. The main themes are evidenced in the center panel medallions (A, B, and C) of each window. The top semicircular panel of each window depicts one of three emblems: the Dove of Peace, the American Eagle, and the Iowa State Campanile.
Traditions and Symbolism
W.T. Proudfoot incorporated the symbols of the Zodiac into the north entrance floor. Proudfoot intended for the bronze symbols to be worn down by visitors walking over them, allowing each visitor to leave their mark on the Memorial Union. However, by 1929, students believed that stepping on the Zodiac would lead to failing their next test. In 1937, the VEISHEA Committee offered a cure: throwing a coin into the Fountain of the Four Seasons, located on the north side of the Memorial Union.
Symbolically located directly below the Gold Star Hall, the Browsing Library and Chapel were constructed in 1959 from W.T. Proudfoot's original design.
In addition to the quotations engraved within the Gold Star Hall, the west entrance of the Memorial Union features a number of other quotations. Over the door to the north of the west entrance vestibule is a quotation by M.J. Riggs, Iowa State Class of 1883, and first president of the Memorial Union Board. M.J. Sir H.J.
Architectural Style
The original building was designed by architect William T. Proudfoot. The building employs a classical style of architecture reflecting Greek and Roman influences. The building's design specifically complements the designs of the major buildings surrounding the University's Central Campus area, Beardshear Hall to the west, Curtiss Hall to the east, and MacKay Hall to the north.
A Second Home for Students
The student service departments inside the MU offer many jobs for students on campus. âThe MU has become like a second home to me,â Aliyah Johnson said. âItâs great to host events because of all of the different spaces.
tags: #Iowa #State #University #Memorial #Union #history
