The
Agricultural College campus lacked a place for students to gather. With the
increased enrollment and the return of World War II veterans, the need for a
student-gathering place became apparent. The drive for a student union was led
by the veterans who wanted a place to "hang out, play cards, relax and eat all
under one roof" (Spectrum, "Reflections of the Past" insert, September
17, 1996, p. B-4). After a trip to South Dakota State University (then South
Dakota State College) in 1947, the College and students decided to begin planning
a Student Union. On June 4, 1947 the student body voted to place a special assessment
of $5.00 per term on the student activity fees as a means of paying for the
construction of the Student Union. The students were assisted by the Board of
Directors of the Alumni Association who offered their services in managing the
money, floating bonds and other issues relating to construction (The NDAC
Alumni Review, April/May/June, 1947, p. 2). A corporation of four alumi,
four students and four staff members was formed to oversee the fundraising and
planning of the proposed student union. The corporation added "Memorial Union"
to its name in order to honor NDAC alumni who lost their lives in World War
II (NDAC Alumni Review, May 1952, p. 3).
Construction on the Student Union did not begin until 1952. The footings and foundation were completed by July 1 of that year and by the fall of 1953 the building was ready for the students. The entire construction cost was covered by contributions from students, alumni and friends of the College. The newly completed Union was a two and one-half story building and quickly became the center of student life. It housed a ballroom, dining rooms, meeting rooms, lounges, snack bar, game room, eight modern bowling alleys, College Bookstore, men's store, barbershop and student radio station. The Union also contained offices for the student government, Alumni Association, placement center and union manager. It is also interesting to note that the fireplace was partially built from the stone used on the old White House in Washington D. C. The Union was dedicated during the homecoming weekend of October 29-31, 1953 (Spectrum, October 29, 1953, p. 1; NDAC Catalog 1956-1957, p. 40; NDAC Alumni Review, September 1953, p. 1).
Since its construction, the Union has undergone several additions and renovations. The first was in 1964. The addition cost $600,000 (the total construction costs of the Union in 1953) and added 96,000 square feet to the Union. It was dedicated on November 6, 1964 (Fargo Forum, November 1, 1964, p. C-14; Dedication of the Memorial Union Addition, November 6, 1964). In 1971 the Union was again expanded. This addition featured an expanded west entrance and an exterior patio area. It was also at this time that certain areas of the Union received air conditioning. In 1975, with the addition of the Family Life Center, an art gallery was added (Spectrum, October 10, 1978). In the early 1980s, the Crow's Nest (a popular student gathering area) was replaced with the Lower Lounge in order to increase the Union's seating capacity. During this time an elevator was also added to make the building handicapped accessible (Spectrum, September 11, 1981; Spectrum, March 19, 1982). Some of the most recent renovations have been the expansion of Taco Bell (1996), redecoration of the Cul-de-Sac (1998), construction and expansion of the Food Court (1998-2000) and the addition of the new express lunch area (2001).
In 1993, at the Fifty-Year Reunion of the Class of 1943, the Memorial Union was rededicated to honor all NDSU war dead (Bison Briefs, August 1993). Today, the Memorial Union is still a center of student activity.
Architectural Information
Initial building in 1952-1953: William F. Kurke and Associates – Architects and Engineers.
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