THE MEMORIAL UNION
Following the First World War, a patriotic movement swept across college campuses nationwide to honor those students who had fought and died for liberty and freedom, and MU was no exception to this. In his 1919 commencement address, Dean Walter Miller called for the construction of a memorial to Missouri's deceased sons. His dream, and the dream of students and faculty, began to take shape under the Memorial Building Committee, a committee organized to raise funds and support for the construction of this memorial.
First and foremost, the Memorial Union building would serve to honor MU's deceased sons, while at the same time it could serve as the long-awaited, permanent student center for student organizations and social activities. The first and most symbolic stage called for the construction of an English, Gothic-style, memorial, bell tower. The second phase called for the construction of the two wings extending north and south.
Construction of the first phase of the project began on November 30, 1922, when construction of the tower was laid. The Tower was subsequently completed and dedicated in November 1926. MU honored 117 men who lost their lives in the First World War by inscribing their names on the inside walls of the Tower arch. Tradition has it that during the time when most men wore hats, whenever they walked through the Tower arch, they would tip their hats as a sign of respect to their deceased brothers. Unknowingly to most, completion and dedication of the Tower in 1926 was the last major construction to occur on the Memorial Union building for the next 25 years. There were a few exceptions to this such as the construction of the foundation for the south wing in 1931 and the Tower bells and clock in 1936.
Completing the Memorial Union building would be a part of a larger dormitory dining and recreational building program with the north wing begun in June 1951 and completed over a year later in September 1952. Three hundred thirty-eight MU sons who lost their lives in World War Two joined their earlier brothers in history, as their names were inscribed on a large plaque and hung on the walls inside the foyer of the north wing. The final phase of the Memorial Union building would remain uncompleted for another 11 years. The south wing would remain in its incomplete state until 1963.
One other major development of the Union before 1963 was the construction of the A.P. Green Chapel in 1959, which adjoined the Memorial Union and later the south wing. Construction of the non-denominational chapel was made possible by an $85,000 financial gift from Allen P. and Josephine B. Green. Mr. Green was an alumnus of MU and had also served on the Governor's Board of Visitors for the University from1942 to1950. An additional $30,000 was allocated by the University Student Union Board to complete construction of the chapel. The chapel is open to any MU student for periods of religious worship and today is often used for marriage ceremonies.
Brady Commons was also completed in 1963. It was originally referred to as the Student Commons and was renamed Brady Commons in 1967. In 1985 a new wing was added to Brady Commons. This wing included the addition of what is now the Center for Student Involvement, TigerTech, the Brady Walkway, and the moving of the University Bookstore into its present location.
During the 1980's and early 90's Memorial Union fell into disuse. As a means to remedy the situation and review the purpose and function of both facilities of the Missouri Unions, the University initiated in 1992 a five year, $10,000,000 plan to renovate Memorial Union. Phase one began with the renovation of the south side second floor in 1994. That year also brought the conversion of meeting rooms on the south side ground floor into a 102-station, student-computing center.
The next major renovation for Memorial Union occurred in 1996 with the demolition of the first floor north. The grand opening of the north side in January of 1997 introduced students to a beautifully remodeled ballroom-style Stotler Lounge, a food court with healthier food options, a coffee bar, a large information area, and updated meeting room space. The renovation of Jesse Wrench Auditorium soon followed that spring. T.A. Brady's Games Room also underwent renovations in 1996 and opened its doors with a whole new look in February of 1997.
In 1994 a major renovation of Brady Food Court occurred and brought a wider variety of menu options to students. More recently, in the spring of 1998 the University Bookstore completed its expansion in Brady Commons, which added many new products and services for students.
The renovation of the administrative offices and meeting room on the first floor south were complete in the fall of 1998. The new space included better display areas and student lounge space.
1996 also brought the organization of a Conferences and Special Events area in the Unions and the reorganization of the Student Union Programming Board (SUPB). A programming board existed in the unions during the 1950's - 1970's, but was dissolved. With the revitalization of the facilities, SUPB was created and provides innovative educational, cultural and social programming to the campus community.
After nearly 100 years since MU students first expressed their desire for a student union, one finds Memorial Union and Brady Commons as the centers of student life. Memorial Union now recaptures its earlier glory and responsibilities, while Brady Commons continues to meet the needs of a growing student body.
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Courtesy: Mizzou.edu)
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Pic: Sudhama K)
My soul abhors it all.. ! Entangled in absurdity, junked-up affairs, frustrations over what ? Arguing incessantly, above all - dragged in a conversation sans intellectuality.
