Lori Meadows
The University of Arizona's Student Union Memorial Center was completed in early 2003. The $60 million project was a three-year, two-phase construction that began in 1999. The Student Union was originally built in 1951 and was recently renovated and renamed the Student Union Memorial Center. The new building was designed to be a memorial to the USS Arizona, a US Navy battleship destroyed in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original Construction Date | 1951 |
| Renovation Start Date | 1999 |
| Renovation End Date | 2002/2003 |
| Renovation Cost | $60 million |
| Renovation Area Increase | 130,500 square feet |
| Foodservice Construction Phase | August 1999 to September 2001 |
| Phase Two Completion | December 2002 |
| Phase Two Additions | Ballrooms, meeting rooms, theater/auditorium, foodservice operations |
| Memorial | USS Arizona |
| Memorial Components | Bell from the USS Arizona, dog tags hanging from the front of the building |
| Main Floor Features | Restaurants, University of Arizona bookstore |
| Third Floor Features | Grand Ballroom, small to medium-sized rooms, offices for ASUA and the U of A bookstore, Cactus Grill restaurant |
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What You'll Learn
- The University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Centre was completed in early 2003
- The $60 million renovation project began in 1999
- The original Student Union was built in 1951
- The Student Union houses one of two original bells from the U.S.S. Arizona
- The Student Union contains a variety of dining options, a bookstore, a theatre, ballrooms, and meeting rooms
The University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Centre was completed in early 2003
The University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Centre, a vibrant hub for students, was completed in early 2003. The centre underwent a three-year, $60 million construction project, which began in 1999. This project was a renovation and expansion of the original Memorial Student Union, built in 1951.
The Student Union Memorial Centre was specifically designed as a memorial to the USS Arizona, a US Navy battleship destroyed in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The building's design resembles the ship, and it houses one of two original bells salvaged from the USS Arizona. The bell, dedicated to those who lost their lives in the attack, is preserved in the Student Unions tower and is often rung in their memory.
The renovation project utilised the existing footprint of the old building, expanding it from 274,500 square feet to 405,000 square feet. The project was completed in two phases, with the east portion of the original building torn down first, while the bookstore and food services in the west section remained operational. Phase one, from August 1999 to September 2001, focused primarily on food service construction. Phase two involved the demolition of the middle and west sections of the original building and the addition of new ballrooms, meeting rooms, a theatre/auditorium, and additional foodservice operations, completed in December 2002.
The new Student Union Memorial Centre offers a variety of dining options, spaces to relax, and numerous activities for students to engage in. It houses the Wildcat Food Court, the Gallagher Theatre, the Grand Ballroom, and several meeting rooms. The centre also includes memorials such as dog tags hanging from the front of the building, serving as a reminder of the lives lost and representing the achievements of the university community.
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The $60 million renovation project began in 1999
The University of Arizona's Student Union Memorial Center was the result of a $60 million renovation project that began in 1999. The original Student Union building was built in 1951 as a memorial to the 283 war dead, including those who died on the USS Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. The Student Union was also built to resemble the battleship.
The renovation project was completed in two phases over three years. The first phase began in August 1999 and ended in September 2001. During this phase, the east portion of the original building was torn down while the bookstore and food services in the west section continued to operate. The majority of the food service construction occurred during this phase.
The second phase began in September 2001 and was completed in December 2002. The middle and west sections of the original building were torn down, and new ballrooms, meeting rooms, a theatre/auditorium, and additional food service operations were constructed.
The new Student Union Memorial Center (SUMC) was officially opened in February 2003. The building features a variety of dining options, spaces to unwind and relax, and numerous activities for students to engage in. The main floor contains most of the restaurants, including the Wildcat Food Court, as well as the University of Arizona bookstore. The third floor contains the Grand Ballroom, which is used for events and presentations, and the fourth floor contains smaller meeting rooms and offices for Career Services and the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership.
The Student Unions also house one of two original bells salvaged from the USS Arizona in 1941. The bell, which is preserved in the Student Unions tower, is dedicated to the memory of the men who lost their lives on the battleship during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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The original Student Union was built in 1951
The original Student Union at the University of Arizona was built in 1951. The Memorial Student Union building was dedicated on November 17, 1951, with a commemorative bronze plaque honouring those who had served and died in various conflicts, including the 283 war dead listed below. The plaque also commemorated those who lost their lives on the USS Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, as well as those who died in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The building was designed to pay tribute to their sacrifice and courage.
The original structure underwent a significant renovation and expansion project beginning in 1999. The $60 million construction project aimed to modernise and enhance the student union while preserving its historical significance. The project was carefully executed in two phases to ensure uninterrupted food services for the university community. During the first phase, the east portion of the original building was demolished, while the western section housing the bookstore and food services remained operational. This phase primarily focused on expanding and improving the food service areas.
The second phase involved tearing down the middle and west sections of the original building to make way for new ballrooms, meeting rooms, a theatre/auditorium, and additional food service options. This phase also included the creation of various memorial features to honour the USS Arizona and those who perished in the attack. The new Student Union Memorial Centre (SUMC) was completed in early 2003, providing a larger and more modern space for students and the campus community to gather, dine, and engage in various activities.
The Student Union Memorial Centre houses one of two original bells salvaged from the USS Arizona. The bell, preserved in the Student Unions tower, serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the battleship attack on Pearl Harbor. The distinctive design of the building, resembling a ship, further emphasises its connection to the USS Arizona. The union also features unique wind chimes made from dog tags hanging from the front of the building, creating a space that combines functionality with remembrance and respect for the past.
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The Student Union houses one of two original bells from the U.S.S. Arizona
The Student Union at the University of Arizona is a vibrant hub of campus life, offering a range of dining options, social and cultural activities, and spaces for students to relax and connect. The Student Union is also steeped in history and pays tribute to the university's rich past.
One notable feature of the Student Union is that it houses one of two original bells from the U.S.S. Arizona, a powerful symbol with a significant story. The bell, now preserved in the Student Union tower, was salvaged from the sunken U.S.S. Arizona battleship in 1941. The U.S.S. Arizona was involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the bell serves as a dedication to the memory of the men who lost their lives on that fateful day.
The story of how the University of Arizona acquired the bell is quite intriguing. In 1944, Wilber L. Bill Bowers, a UA alumnus from the class of 1927, discovered the bell at the Puget Sound Naval Yard in Bremerton, Washington. It was about to be melted down, but thanks to Bowers' intervention, it was saved from destruction. He played a crucial role in ensuring that the bell found its way to the University of Arizona shortly after World War II.
The Student Union Memorial Center (SUMC) itself was designed with architectural elements that pay homage to the U.S.S. Arizona. The structure of the building represents the battleship, with "The Canyon," an outdoor walkway, running between its east and west sides. The curved east wall of "The Canyon" replicates the silhouette of the U.S.S. Arizona, while the cylindrical drum enclosing a grand stairway represents the shape of the battleship's main gun turret. The bell tower, in particular, symbolises a mast and sail, further emphasising the connection between the Student Union and the U.S.S. Arizona.
The University of Arizona has a strong connection to the U.S.S. Arizona and its history. The Memorial Student Union, dedicated in 1951, was erected to honour the students, alumni, and faculty who served and sacrificed for their country. The preservation and display of one of the original bells from the U.S.S. Arizona within the Student Union serve as a lasting tribute to those who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor and in subsequent conflicts. The bell and the thoughtful design of the Student Union Memorial Center provide a physical reminder of the university community's courage, devotion, and patriotism.
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The Student Union contains a variety of dining options, a bookstore, a theatre, ballrooms, and meeting rooms
The University of Arizona's Student Union Memorial Centre was completed in early 2003. The Student Union is the vibrant heart of the campus, serving as a kitchen and living room away from home. The $60 million construction project expanded the building from 274,500 square feet to 405,000 square feet.
The Student Union offers a variety of dining options to suit every palate. The Wildcat Food Court is where most of the restaurants are located, including the Cactus Grill, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The main floor of the student union contains the majority of the restaurants, as well as the University of Arizona Bookstore. The bookstore sells university-branded clothing, appliances, and other supplies that students may need.
The Student Union also houses the Gallagher Theater, a moderately-sized movie theater that plays recently released movies and is also used for presentations and events. The third floor of the building contains the Grand Ballroom, which is used for events and presentations, and is surrounded by smaller rooms for more intimate gatherings.
The Student Union is also home to one of two original bells salvaged from the U.S.S. Arizona in 1941. The bell is preserved in the Student Union tower and is dedicated to the memory of the men who lost their lives on the battleship during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
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Frequently asked questions
The new Student Union Memorial Center (SUMC) was completed in early 2003.
Construction began in 1999.
The project cost $60 million.
The Student Union Memorial Center was designed to be a memorial to the USS Arizona, a US Navy battleship destroyed in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Yes, the Student Union houses one of two original bells salvaged from the USS Arizona. The bell is preserved in the Student Unions tower and is dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in the attack.
