Before the festivities of Gumbo Ya Ya, the War Memorial Student Union Expansion and Rejuvenation Project was dedicated to the student body.
“This was the time to do this. It was perfect timing really,” said Erin Cowser, executive director of public and governmental affairs. “Homecoming week is all about students, and we wanted this dedication to be all about students.”
The dedication was made during a ceremony held on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012. President John L. Crain led the ceremony where he reminisced on how the union project has progressed from a student idea, through the design process and finally to construction.
According to Crain, earlier in his career a group of students came forward saying that the current Student Union was not adequate for the number of students on campus, so the project was created because of them. The expansion project is expected to be completed in early 2014.
“What I found most impressive about this group is that they knew that they would not be here to reap the benefits of their idea,” said Crain.
While some students will have graduated by the time the construction is complete, younger students are excited about the new services that will be provided in the union’s extra space.
“I think the new union will be a great way for students to connect with each other, become involved and get what they need,” said Noel Netzhammer, a sophomore communication sciences and disorders major. “I can’t wait to see it!”
Even some students who will not be here for the finished union are excited for the students that will come after them. Taylor Couvillion is a junior biology major and hopes to graduate before 2014.
“I think this construction will pay off,” said Couvillion. “We need the extra space and we’re growing as a school, so we need to grow campus-wise as well.”
However, there are some graduating students who plan to experience the union as well.
“I will probably come back to see it and take full advantage of it,” said junior sports management major Emma Bunnell. “It’s for students, right? I had to walk around the construction, so I want to reap the full benefits.”