East side of Atherton Union addition

Description:	Newspaper vending machines sit on the sidewalk outside a doorway on the east side of Atherton Union. First opening on January 3, 1950, and 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. Although it is difficult to see in this photograph, the sign above the doorway says The John Whistler Atherton Center. 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. The portion of the building to the left of the doorway, including the clock tower on the corner of the building, was part of this addition. 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, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, October 9, 1992, and the grand opening was held on Friday, August 27, 1993.
Origin:	1993-09-01
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/1752
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, 39.837251, -86.171609 39.837251 -86.171609
Subjects:	Student unions Sidewalks Trees Shrubs McGuire & Shook, Architects Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History John Whistler Atherton Center Atherton Union Newspaper vending machines Bushes Hess, Jonathan Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf, Inc. Fairview campus

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