Description: |
Butler University President Geoffrey Bannister (facing forward) speaks to Butler University Board of Trustees Chair Paul Schmidt, M.D. (left) while standing on a sidewalk outside an entrance to Atherton Union. Both men are wearing hard hats and a construction fence is located to their left. This photograph was likely taken just before or after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Atherton Union addition, which occurred on Friday, October 9, 1992. To their right, people walk to and from the building. 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. |
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Origin: | 1992-10-09 |
Source: |
http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/1791 |
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, 39.837280, -86.171709 39.837280 -86.171709 |
Subjects: |
Student unions College presidents College trustees Doors Doorways Shrubs McGuire & Shook, Architects Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History John Whistler Atherton Center Atherton Union Bannister, Geoffrey Schmidt, Paul People Hard hats Hess, Jonathan Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf, Inc. Bushes Fairview campus |
Further information on this record can be found at its source.