It was 1957 when construction began on the new Student Union Building for Eastern students. The building would cost $975,000 which was partially funded through a $75,000 fund drive by the Alumni Association. In addition, students would pay a $9 Union Fee each quarter for a period of 40 years. No funds from the State of Illinois would be used in the construction of the new building.

Students were excited about the new building which would house a snack bar, cafeteria and dining area, private dining rooms, a ballroom, recreation area, and offices for student publications and student government.

The new building opened on December 3, 1958. The event was celebrated with an afternoon ceremony and an evening dance in the new ballroom.

In 1967, Eastern students again celebrated as a new $1 million dollar addition was completed to the Union. This addition added 45,000 square feet to the currently existing building. The addition was a tri-level structure that included full air-conditioning. Tymon Mitchell, director of the Union at that time noted that the objective of the Union construction was to preserve a "living room" atmosphere for the students.

The new addition added a bowling alley ($.45 a game and $.10 for shoes) and a game room ($.90 an hour to play pool) for the students.

January 13, 1974 saw the opening of the final addition to the Union. Delayed due to financial porblems with the general contractor, this $3.7 million addition would double current floor space, add a new ballroom, offer several more office and conference rooms (including the "1895 Room" on the second floor), and house a complete duplicating center for students. The lower level would house a new lounge are known as the Rathskellar that could be used for "coffee-house activities with bands and other food specials." A new bookstore area would replace the current site, offering more space for Eastern items.

The Union additions would be connected by a walkway that contained two TV lounges for students. Other additions included an elevator and restrooms on each floor.

Visit the MLK University Union webpage at:

• http://www.eiu.edu/~union/

Information and photos courtesy of:

• Mr. Bob Hillman, University Archives
• The Eastern Alumnus, October 1957 and December 1958
• The Daily Eastern News, June 14, 1967 and December 13, 1974