About the MU

1928 - Union newly open                                                              Present-day

After World War I ended, there was an interest on campus in raising a memorial to Iowa Staters who died in that war. There was talk about a bronze plaque or a gateway arch, but an outspoken group headed by the editor of the student paper lobbied for a living memorial - a building that would provide service to the college and preserve the memory of those that were lost.

Students successfully rallied support on campus and then widened their campaign to alumni. In order to achieve the goal of putting up a building when the state could not make the money available, the planning group realized that they would have to form as a non-for-profit corporation. State entities in the 1920’s were not allowed to borrow or bond for capital improvements. The Memorial Union corporation was established in 1922 to see the project through.

By 1925, enough pledges were collected to begin construction. A site was selected, title to the land obtained, a mortgage negotiated, an architect and contractor hired and the groundbreaking date was set for April 26, 1927. The Memorial Union opened in September 1928, with final construction details continuing until early the next year.

Gold Star Hall, at the north entrance, serves as the memorial. When the building opened, the names of Iowa Staters lost in World War 1 were inscribed. In later years, names from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Somalia and the Global War on Terrorism (Iraq) were added.

In the Memorial Union's 80+ year history, eleven additions have gone on to all sides of the original structure, the most recent opening in the spring of 2008. Each addition has allowed the MU to update its services to meet the needs of the Iowa State University community.

More information about the history of the Memorial Union can be found in Harold Pride's book, The First Fifty Years, located at ISU's Parks Library.