Purdue Memorial Union: A Hub of History and Services
The Purdue Memorial Union (PMU) stands as a vibrant center of campus life at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. More than just a building, it's a cornerstone of campus culture, offering a wide array of services, dining options, and spaces for students, staff, and visitors. From its origins as a memorial to Purdue's sons and daughters who served in World War I to its modern-day role as a central gathering place, the PMU has a rich history and continues to evolve to meet the needs of the Purdue community.
A Vision for Community: The Genesis of the PMU
In the early 1900s, Purdue University recognized the need for a dedicated space where students, faculty, alumni, and visitors could come together. At that time, students were gathering in a room above Southworth's Bookstore. The Class of 1912 spearheaded the effort to create a union, initiating a fund to build a union for Purdue in lieu of a class gift. George O. Hayes, a member of the Class of 1912, first proposed the idea of a student union at Purdue University. The student council endorsed the idea and the Class of 1912 established and contributed to a student union fund drive in lieu of a class gift. In previous years, each senior donated $5 toward the completion of the new Memorial Gymnasium. When the Memorial Gymnasium was completed, it was decided that senior donations would go towards a student union. A constitution was prepared and approved at a mass meeting of students and faculty on April 17, 1912. A financial campaign committee consisting of students, faculty, alumni, the University President and a trustee was formed.
However, the onset of World War I significantly altered the course of the project. As many Purdue men and women bravely served, some making the ultimate sacrifice, the vision for the union transformed into a memorial. It was decided that the union should be a memorial dedicated to those men and women.
From Dream to Reality: Construction and Completion
Following the war, Purdue University acknowledged the record of her sons and daughters in the service, and in many minds there arose the thought that the student union should stand as a permanent memorial to those 4,013 who had served and those 67 who had died for their country. In 1920, a subscription plan was launched. On Armistice Day of that same year, the anniversary of the end of the World War I, student leaders called a mass meeting in Fowler Hall to ask for student pledges. It is rumored that in order to ensure participation by all, they locked the doors and would not let anyone leave until a pledge had been assigned. All such fundraising drives were completely separate from university programs and were sponsored solely by students, interested faculty members, and friends of Purdue University. Those who contributed $100 or more are life members of the Purdue Memorial Union.
A new constitution was drafted on September 22, 1921, and Jack Walters, as Student President, was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors. Pond and Pond Architects from Chicago were chosen to design the building during the winter of 1921-22. Guiding the Purdue Memorial Union project from start to finish was the Chicago architectural firm of Irving and Allen Pond. The Pond brothers already had long and distinguished careers before receiving their call from West Lafayette early in 1921. By the late 1920s, there were about 35 student unions across the nation. Most Big Ten institutions had a student union at this time. The University of Michigan boasted a Pond and Pond design for its student union, as did Michigan State University and the University of Kansas. The Michigan Union, in particular, caught the attention of the Purdue Memorial Union Building Committee as they searched for the right architect.
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Groundbreaking took place on June 13, 1922, with Virginia C. Meredith chairing the event. David E. Ross, as chairperson of the Building Committee, turned over the first spade of earth and general contractor A.E. Kemmer plowed the first furrow. A.E. The cornerstone was laid at Homecoming, November 25, 1922. In August of 1923, a crowd watched cranes put 25-ton sections of milled limestone in place to form arches over the main entrance of the building. Construction continued through the latter part of 1923 when funds were exhausted. The following year the Purdue Union Association formed as a separate financing corporation and secured a loan of $200,000. The partially completed building opened on September 9, 1924. At that time, the university consisted of 323 faculty and staff and 3,234 students. The sizable sum of $400,000 was still needed for completion. With the necessity of borrowing money, there arose the large question of a reliable plan for procuring and repaying the sum. In 1929, it was deemed necessary and appropriate that the building be deeded to the trustees of Purdue University. Through their financial resources, bonds were issued to acquire the money needed for completion.
The PMU first opened its doors in 1924. However, it wasn't fully finished until 1929. When the PMU opened in 1924, it was still only partially completed. The main floor had temporary pine floors and the walls and ceilings had not yet been plastered. The second floor was not sufficiently finished in order to be available for use. At the PMU dedication ceremonies, Pond stated that he believed that the completed structure was an expression of "poise and physical and spiritual strength and firmness shot through and modified by spiritual aspiration." Its purpose was twofold. First, the broad, simple, and harmonious masses of the building would proclaim to the world the freedom and unity of life found within. Second, the many architectural details and ornaments, inside and out, would minister to the unified life by symbolizing the harmonious interplay of structural forces and hence, an ordered society.
Architectural Layout and Key Features
The PMU comprises several floors, each offering unique spaces and services:
Basement: The Union Rack & Roll is the bowling alley. It is located in the basement of the PMU. In the basement, a bowling alley was built in 1936. The Union Rack & Roll has music, laser lights, as well as glow in the dark bowling. Besides bowling, there is also an arcade and a pool hall located in the Union Rack and Roll.
Ground Floor: This floor has most of the Unionâs restaurants and coffee shops. The ground floor of the original building housed the cafeteria, located on the southwest corner. It contained two sets of serving counters, designed to serve 1,000 people per meal. At the east end of the cafeteria was a soda fountain, the predecessor of the Sweet Shop. The Sweet Shop was created as a separate facility in 1927. There was a billiard room located where the Sweet Shop was and a barbershop.
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Main Floor: On the main floor of the Union, there are student services as well as some lounges. Here, you'll find student services and several lounges. There are also two large ballrooms. These are used for big events and gatherings. There are two ballrooms where large groups can gather for special events. This floor also holds the Great Hall of the Union. Located on this floor as well is the Great Hall of the Union. This is the memorial for Purdue men and women that have fought in the wars. At the center of the main floor was the Great Hall, originally designed as an informal gathering place for the main body of students. It also was the official memorial area for Purdue University men who had served and given their lives for their country. The lounge spaces adjacent to the Great Hall were intended to accommodate overflow. There was a Men's Lounge, designed for reading, writing and quiet conversation and three reception rooms, one men, one women and one general. A scale model of Purdue is located in the Great Hall of the Union. A small scale model of Purdue is located in the Great Hall of the Union. The gold and black cross on the floor of the Great Hall honors the 67 Purdue men who gave their lives for their country during World War I. W. A.E.
Second Floor: This floor has more lounges where you can relax. When the second floor was completed in 1929, it contained an Alumni Faculty Lounge and a Women's Lounge. The Women's Lounge included a kitchenette where off-campus females could prepare their own lunches.
Services and Amenities: A Hub for the Purdue Community
The PMU offers a wide array of services and amenities designed to cater to the diverse needs of the Purdue community:
Dining Options: The PMU offers many dining options. There are cafés to grab a quick lunch, restaurants to have a full meal in, and places to get a hot or cold drink. There are cafés to grab a quick lunch, restaurants to have a full meal in, and places to get a hot or cold drink. Flatbreads and Oasis Café offer deli sandwiches. Urban Market is a convenience store with lots of organic foods as well as a cereal bar. Lemongrass offers soups and other Thai and Vietnamese foods. The Sagamore Room is a more fancy restaurant that has breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen has a variety of pizzas and salads as well as other Italian foods. Pappyâs Sweet Shop offers hamburgers, hotdogs, and many types of ice cream for dessert. Zia Juice has fresh squeezed juices as well as smoothies.
Purdue Student Union Board (PSUB): The Purdue Student Union Board (PSUB) is a student group. It plans fun programs and services for students, staff, and the West Lafayette community. PSUB actually existed before the Union building was even built! They helped raise money to fund the building. The Purdue Student Union Board (PSUB) is a student organization that provides programs and services for students, staff, and the community of West Lafayette. PSUB was an organization before the union was built and it helped fund the building. When PSUB started in 1920, it had only a few members.
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Union Club Hotel: The first part of the Union Club Hotel was built in 1929. Since then, it has grown into a full service hotel providing a place to stay for campus visitors. Conveniently connected to PMU, the Union Club Hotel has undergone a stunning renovation and now belongs to the Marriott Autograph Collection. The hotel is located inside the PMU, and it is next to the Stewart Center which also provides services for visitors. The unionâs lost and found is open 24 hours and is located in the Union Club Hotel at the front desk. All of the hotel rooms have air conditioning, private bathrooms, color televisions, internet and phone access, and various other amenities. There is parking conveniently located across the street in the Grant Street Parking garage. Complimentary shuttle service to the Purdue University Airport is provided.
Financial Services: The PMU offers a variety of services to students, staff, and visitors as well. ATMs are located on the main floor of the union just outside the Cashier Office. The Cashier Office allows students and faculty to cash checks of up to $50. The PEFCU (Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union) is located on the main floor as well.
Other Services: The Boiler Copy Maker is a copy center available for students and staff to make copies as well as to buy software. The Card Services office is where students and staff may go to have their Purdue ID card printed. BoilerExpress accounts for Purdue ID cards may also be set up through this office. (BoilerExpress accounts are for students to easily pay for laundry or other items at campus minimarts.
Art and Culture
Need a study break or weekend entertainment? Tucked within the Union, youâll find a remarkable collection of bronze sculptures by Edgar Degas, on loan from the universityâs permanent art collection.
The oldest bust, depicting Lincoln, was a gift from the Class of 1904 on its 25th anniversary. It was presented to President Edward Elliott in 1929, and the Unionâs Great Hall has been its home since. The university purchased busts of Ross and then-President Elliott in 1946 from Indiana artist Jon Magnus Johnson. The collection remained limited until the 1990s, when the Purdue Research Foundation commissioned busts of the universityâs remaining five former presidents from Ingle. A bust of Martin Jischke was added to the commissions after he took office. As Ingle completed the busts over several years, each was positioned in the Great Hall. The busts have since been moved to the Presidential Gallery in the East Main Lounge, just off the Great Hall. In 2012, the university unveiled a bust of France A. "The union is honored to be the caretaker of the Purdue University presidential busts," said Zane Reif, senior director of the Purdue Memorial Union.
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