Grand opening of Atherton Union

Description:	People are waiting in line, getting food, or eating dinner outside of Atherton Union on Friday, August 27, 1993, to celebrate the grand opening of the building. This dinner started the festivities, which lasted from 5 p.m. until midnight. Other activities included a ribbon cutting ceremony, live music, door prizes, raffles, and other events held throughout the building. Designed by the architectural firm of McGuire and Shook, this building 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. However, 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, which is shown in this photograph. 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 in the building, which was renamed Atherton Union.
Origin:	1993-08-27
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/1751
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, 39.836801, -86.172470 39.836801 -86.172470
Subjects:	Student unions College students Butler University--Employees Tables Chairs Streets Clocks and watches Sidewalks Trees Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History John Whistler Atherton Center Atherton Union People Fairview campus

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