Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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Students Tax Selves to Support Building Program for Union Immediately following the signing of the World War I Armistice, enthusiasm began to develop on campus to establish a war memorial to those who had lost their lives in military service. Early in the school year 1920-21 sentiment among the students was crystal-izing in favor of uniting the memorial idea with the student union building, in keeping with the standards of the International War Memorial association, which decreed that all memorials erected in the European war zone must be of use to the living as well as commemorative of the dead. The student body under the leadership of Roy S. Keene, president, had now become officially enlisted in the project, and starting January 1, 1922, the students voted enthusiastically to tax themselves $9 a year. On June 2, 1923, the Alumni Association adopted a resolution approving the plans of the student body and pledging the support of the alumni. The kickoff for money raising came January 26, 1925, and extensive plans were laid to solicit money from students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the College. The drive was an immediate success and over $600,000 was pledged. The site of the Memorial Union, in the very heart of the campus, was dedicated March 3, 1926, and machinery moved in and steam shovels began to excavate. When the time came for laying the cornerstone. Dr. J. K. Weatherford, president of the board of regents, consecrated the building, as he had dedicated the site, with the now-familiar phrase, to the service and inspiration of the living, and to the memory of our immortal dead. 8

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Studying it an intregal part of college life, and lltc Memorial Union offers quiet surroundings for the young scholar. Every evening students flock to the Union with their books in hand, so as to Ik ready for tomorrow. The fondest memories of college life go hack to the quiet gatherings of friends. The Memorial Union is often the gathering place of those who nterelv want to relax and cniov life. The lounge of the Union is filled from morning till evening, by those who are hunting for meeting places, lounging, or studying. The piano fills the room with soft music during much of the time. 7

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Two Dedications 25 Years Apart Show Faith in Destiny By November of 1928 on Homecoming day, the doors were opened for alumni to inspect the Roman travertine vestibule with its solid marble caned consoles; the grand lounge with its Spanish rennais-sance interior; the concourse, the ballroom, and every office and room which were part of the fulfilled spirit of Beaver Brotherhood. The Memorial Union, evidence of a purpose to do something tangible for the College as a token of faith in its destiny, was formally dedicated June 1, 1929. Since then have come minor structural changes and major additions to program and facilities to meet growing needs of the College. But the spirit remains the same, flourishing on the ideals for which the men of World Wars I, II. and the Spanish-Amcrican war gave their lives. The memories of these men have been enshrined in a memorial built to last more than a century, a memorial which daily rededicates itself to service. Twenty-five years later, during Homecoming, another plant was dedicated. Parker Stadium, a dream of students and alumni alike, finally became a reality when Lynn Sabine. ’20. dedicated the stadium before the Homecoming game. Thus, another structure was added to the Oregon State campus through the donations and contributions of students, alumni, and friends. Therefore, the 1954 BEAVER dedicates itself to the Memorial Union for its quarter-century of service, and to Parker Stadium, the start of a new era. 9