Celebrating the MSU Union's 100th birthday

Ground broke on the construction of the MSU Union in 1923. The initial construction was funded entirely by students and alumni, starting in 1915 and paused by World War I. When construction was planned to resume, Robert J. McCarthy, secretary of the Alumni Association, organized a competitive “Excavation Week” where students, faculty and volunteers dug the Union's foundation to help raise the last of the necessary funds.

The MSU Union, then called the Memorial Union, on a snowy day in 1929.

In the 1940s, the MSU Union was renovated and expanded, adding a new south wing to the building. In 1948, the façade was embellished with sculpture depicting scholars of various fields.

An aerial view of the MSU Union taken in 1949.

The Union underwent another renovation in 2012 that transformed the inside spaces. Photo by Derrick L. Turner

Following the events of Feb. 13, 2023, the former food court area of the MSU Union was closed and renovated into a space that allows individuals to gather, engage and socialize. The project, led by MSU alumna and interior designer Ashley Latinen, emphasized safety, trust and empowerment, transforming the former food court into a central hub that promotes healing and connection. Photo by Derrick L. Turner, 2024.

A century after its construction, the MSU Union is still standing strong. It serves as a home to a wealth of student resources and community events, and acts as a hub and gateway to campus for students, faculty and visitors alike. Photo by Nick Schrader, 2025.