Year Built: 1921

Purpose: Student Resources

 

The original Student Union was built in 1921 and has undergone many additions and renovations. The student union was originally used for student resources and contained food services, gymnasium, swimming pool and more. In 1960 Gustavus constructed a new wing attached by walkway to the Johnson Student Union to house the campus post office, bookstore, food service and dining room, and “Canteen,” or snack bar. This project costed $325,000. In 1965 Gustavus received $750,000 in federal loans to continue to remodel the new addition. The 1965 addition added 25,000 square feet which included an extension to the banquet seating, doubled the bookstore size, and provided more room for student activities such as bowling alleys, a billiard room, ping pong area, and quiet game rooms. Then in 1987, a $1.5 million renovation of the Student Union building transformed the original swimming pool into what campus has termed the “Dive”, the new dry bar on campus. During this renovation the entire building was gutted and restored as closely as possible to its 1919 splendor. Many resources for students were added, for example the Career Center. The walkway from the library to the student union was added in 1981. This addition was made for easier access to the students. Today the Student Union homes Alumni Hall, Community Service Center, Career Center, Center for Vocational Reflection, Counseling Center, The Dive and various offices.