Groundbreaking for an Atherton Union addition

Description:	From left to right, Faculty Assembly Chair Dr. W. Kent Van Tyle (Class of 1967); Butler University Board of Trustees Chair Paul Schmidt, M.D.; Alumni Association President Jamene Phillippe (Class of 1973); Student Government Association President Robert P. Benson (Class of 1993); and University President Geoffrey Bannister, pose with shovels at the groundbreaking ceremony for an Atherton Union addition on Friday, October 9, 1992. To their left are a lectern and a sign describing the project, while construction trailers and a portion of Schwitzer Hall are visible in the background of the photograph. First opening on January 3, 1950, and designed by the architectural firm of McGuire and Shook, Atherton Union was originally named the John Whistler Atherton Center, in honor of John W. Atherton (Class of 1900), who served for 26 years as the secretary-treasurer for the University. Four decades later, the administration of Butler University felt the building was not being used to its true potential. A group of students, faculty, board of trustee members, administrators, and parents were tasked with making recommendations for improvements to the building. Architect Jonathan Hess of Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf, Inc. designed the updates to the building, including a 24,000 square-foot addition at the southern end. University administrators felt this work would transform the space into what they considered to be a true student union, a gathering place, and a hub of activity for all students. Elevators and lifts were added to make the building accessible; an information center, a flexible lounge and entertainment space, a billiard room, and an exercise area were added; and air conditioning was installed. Renamed Atherton Union, the grand opening was held on Friday, August 27, 1993.
Origin:	1992-10-09
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/1749
Collection:	Butler University Buildings and Grounds Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Copyright:	In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Geography:	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 39.837091, -86.172202 39.837091 -86.172202
Subjects:	Student unions Shovels College presidents College teachers Butler University--Faculty Butler University--Employees Butler University--Alumni and alumnae College students College trustees Signs and signboards Microphone Trailers Dormitories Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History Groundbreaking ceremonies Bannister, Geoffrey Benson, Robert P. Phillippe, Jamene Schmidt, Paul Tyle, W. Kent van People John Whistler Atherton Center Atherton Union Lecterns Hard hats Schwitzer Residence Hall Womens Residence Hall Fairview campus

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