|
From
the April 11, 2005, edition of “Northwest This Week.”
by Dana Ternus
The J.W. Jones Student Union
is a great place to meet friends, grab a fresh cup of coffee or
throw a banquet for 400 of your closest friends. But the large,
student-friendly building has come a long way from its beginning
as nothing more than an idea in the head of one of Northwest’s
most dynamic leaders.
The union was the brainchild of the University’s sixth president,
John W. Jones, who began his tenure at Northwest in 1945 after
serving as dean of faculty at Indiana State Teachers College.
President Jones was determined to improve Northwest intellectually
and physically. He helped create the first administrative handbook
and increased faculty salaries. He also reorganized the faculty
into divisions and helped introduce Northwest’s first graduate-level
courses. Other accomplishments included the institution of a faculty
rank system and tenure.
The physical campus changed dramatically during Jones’ administration,
and for 18 years the president worked tirelessly to secure funding
for capital projects. He was not shy about asking the Legislature
for money.
Among the myriad of additions and improvements made during this
period were seven residence hall additions, the expansion of Wells
Library and two additions to the old Industrial Arts Building.
There was much new construction as well, including Lamkin Gymnasium,
Colden Hall and Rickenbrode Field and Stadium. The DeLuce Fine
Arts Building was funded, but not yet completed, when Jones retired
in 1964.
It was the union, however, that became Jones’ special project.
His vision was for a facility in which students could gather to
enjoy “gracious living.” So dedicated was he to this
project that it was soon nicknamed “the house that Jack
built.” Completed in 1956, the complex was named in his
honor.
Almost continual improvements have been made to the building since
it first opened its doors. Additions in the 1960s doubled its
size and allowed for expanded dining facilities, a ballroom and
air conditioning.
A large mosaic of Bobby Bearcat – 13 feet high – was
conceived by Ray Hershman and designed by Jan Roderick Carroll.
Created in various shades of white and green, the image adorned
the outer west wall of the union for years until the advent of
yet another addition.
Today’s union includes lounges, meeting rooms, banquet halls,
offices and a complete cafeteria and food court, along with a
coffee shop, restaurant and ice cream parlor. There are also extensive
conference facilities and computer access areas.
True to Jones’ dream, “the house that Jack built”
continues to serve students, faculty and staff as Northwest’s
living room – and a place to enjoy “gracious living.”
Back
to Snapshot index
|
|