Arizona State University - Sun Devil Spark / Sahuaro Yearbook (Tempe, AZ)

Page 9 text:

as General Chairman for an all-out campaign. The 55 members of the Central Committee, the 16 members of the State Commit- tee, and the Executive Committee were all prominent in the pro motion and coordination of the drive to its successful conclusion. Campaign Director James W. Creasman, '35 Secretary of the Alumni Association, was one of the prime moving factors through- out the campaign and his catching enthusiasm was apparent wherever the need of the campaign or the alumni association required. At the twelvemonth it was announced that the major portion of the $350,000 that was to be raised by subscription had been collected or pledged. Actual total on April 16. 1952 was $302,941 71. Then the goal was reached and surpassed After extensive stucTy of the principal students centers in the nation and conferring with many Student Union directors, Kemper Goodwin, Tempe architect, drew the plans for the 84.000 square foot Arizona State Memorial Union. On October 1, 1954, ground was broken on the lot that Senator Carl Hoyden described as having been a horse pasture in the days when he was attending the Normal School. So changes the purpose of land. Ex-Governor Howard Pyle referred to this as an example of the ever increasing need for educational facilities in the state and the needs of Arizona State Excitement mounted among the students, who anticipated usinq the building; among the alumm, who had wanted the bu lding during their school doys and to whose class mates it would be a memorial; among ihe faculty, who understood its educational and service opportunities. The chant rose, dig, rig, dig — spoken by most and thought bv the rest. The noise of the power shovel was drowned by the cheers as the first scoop-ful of dirt was taken. This same excitement continued as everyone hopefully waited for the day of the Memoral Union's completion. On February 27, 1956 the building was officially ooened and turned over to the students for their and this university's use. south doors. The two student publications. State Press, and Sahuaro. arc in the south wing of the second floor near the student offices and organizations section. Adequately ©quipped and locale, they are now in an excellent situation for the recording of current activities in the school's newspaper, and the permanent recording in the annual. From the game control booth in the basement students may get ping-pong equipment, billiard cues and balls, or cards. Ad- joining these rooms there is a room with tables where game- weary students may relax with cokes and candy from tho various dispensing machines. There is also a room in the basement for arts and crafts. In an unfinished section of the lower level a bowling alley is to be soon installed There arc two lounges The main lounge, on the first floor, is divided by a wall extending half way into the lounge, with a copper shielded chimney fireplace dominating the rear section and front section glass welled and looking out to the campus at street level. The second floor lounge can be partitioned by draw- ing a folding curtain. This lounge is panelled in mahogany on two sides, one of which carries a colorful western mural by Dr. Harry Wood. The north side is glass wolled and provides the Memorial Union's best view of the campus and the Butte. The south wall is also glass, but opens onto a narrow balcony over- looking the patio below. The Memorial Union is a reality, but with its completion thought turned to its uses and purposes and much of the planning and work that went into the acquisition of the Union may pass from common knowledge In 1950, foreseeing the future neods of this university and tho state, the Alumni Association Board of Directors began fund solicitations on a -world wide basis among alumni, students, par- ents, faculty, and other friends of the school. Charles A. Stauffer, winner of the Alumm Service Award in 1950 after serving as President, was chosen by the Board to serve

Page 11 text:

• Here is Arizona State, as of spring, 1956. Its Administrative Staff, its Faculty, its Students, and its Activities are shown in part, incom- plete, as is this university. Arizona is booming with the growth of solid industry, modern construction, and an expanding population. The people of this state have and are demanding increased educational facilities to insure a firm basis for this growth. The sheer weight of students attending, coupled with a far seeing administration, has brought this university from a normal school in the late twenties, to Arizona State Teachers College, Ari- zona State College, and now a University. The physical change is too vast for one person to easily comprehend or for one book to record. In the college town of Tempe many old buildings, heavy with the history of pioneer Arizona, are being displaced by increased campus building and expansion. New dormitories, as well as edu- cational and cultural structures, are needed as part of this expan- sion. Facing the facts, education has and will continue to cost the taxpayers of this state. However, it should be remembered that Ari- zona State is a University in fact, based on the need for education, existing for and because of the people of this state. HELP US GROW, ARIZONA, AND OUR GRADUATES WILL HELP YOU BUILD!