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Post by unionguy on Feb 1, 2009 17:38:23 GMT -5
Were any of you at the Grand Opening/Dedication of the Harre Union yesterday and what did you think? Would like some feedback. :dance
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Post by 78crusader on Feb 1, 2009 19:16:35 GMT -5
My wife and I were there. We drove in from Iowa so one of our daughters could make a college visit. The open house after the dedication service was simply a first-rate event. Our overall impression of this new facility was very, very positive. We were especially impressed by the dining areas and the fact that each side of the building provides a great view of the other campus buildings. We liked the outdoor patio area. The lobby is spacious and welcoming. The ballroom is very large and is something VU really needed. The bookstore is a vast improvement. As my wife says, this building rocks. One of our daughters attends Wheaton College. A few years ago Wheaton built a new union (named after Todd Beamer, the guy who said "Let's roll" on Flight 91). Up until yesterday I thought that union was the finest I've ever seen. I would rate VU's union every bit as good as Wheaton's. And that's saying something. Just a couple of suggestions. The lobby area is a bit sterile. It woud be nice to hang a large VU banner on the right side as you enter the lobby. There isn't any VU tradition on display, and that was disappointing to us. Some schools have their dining staff wear polos with the college insignia on them. Or how 'bout photos of past significant events/people in VU history on one of walls outside one of the many conference rooms upstairs. It might be interesting for people to see what the campus looked like years ago. Or a photo of OP Kretzmann. Or a photo taken of the crowd at an old football or basketball game. Something that brings out VU tradition. There are many bulletin boards on the first floor especially -- why not post something like "This semester in VU history" and provide clippings/photos from a particular year? (1969, for instance, is 40 years ago and some people might find it interesting to see VU photos and articles from that year). I mean, we have an archive and even an archivist on staff at VU. Why not use some of this stuff? Finally, this is a Christian university but there isn't much, if any, evidence of that in the building. Why not put up someting simple like a crucifix? I note the performing arts builidng has an inscribed quote from Isaiah. It is too bad something similar wasn't done for this building, to give God glory and honor for such an impressive structure. Just some random thoughts. Paul
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TD
Recruit
Posts: 42
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Post by TD on Feb 1, 2009 22:50:26 GMT -5
My wife and I were there. We drove in from Iowa so one of our daughters could make a college visit. The open house after the dedication service was simply a first-rate event. Our overall impression of this new facility was very, very positive. We were especially impressed by the dining areas and the fact that each side of the building provides a great view of the other campus buildings. We liked the outdoor patio area. The lobby is spacious and welcoming. The ballroom is very large and is something VU really needed. The bookstore is a vast improvement. As my wife says, this building rocks. One of our daughters attends Wheaton College. A few years ago Wheaton built a new union (named after Todd Beamer, the guy who said "Let's roll" on Flight 91). Up until yesterday I thought that union was the finest I've ever seen. I would rate VU's union every bit as good as Wheaton's. And that's saying something. Just a couple of suggestions. The lobby area is a bit sterile. It woud be nice to hang a large VU banner on the right side as you enter the lobby. There isn't any VU tradition on display, and that was disappointing to us. Some schools have their dining staff wear polos with the college insignia on them. Or how 'bout photos of past significant events/people in VU history on one of walls outside one of the many conference rooms upstairs. It might be interesting for people to see what the campus looked like years ago. Or a photo of OP Kretzmann. Or a photo taken of the crowd at an old football or basketball game. Something that brings out VU tradition. There are many bulletin boards on the first floor especially -- why not post something like "This semester in VU history" and provide clippings/photos from a particular year? (1969, for instance, is 40 years ago and some people might find it interesting to see VU photos and articles from that year). I mean, we have an archive and even an archivist on staff at VU. Why not use some of this stuff? Finally, this is a Christian university but there isn't much, if any, evidence of that in the building. Why not put up someting simple like a crucifix? I note the performing arts builidng has an inscribed quote from Isaiah. It is too bad something similar wasn't done for this building, to give God glory and honor for such an impressive structure. Just some random thoughts. Paul The archivist is out with a leg/ankle injury right now but I'll pass on the ideas. He does have a great staff person though who could get the process rolling. He also has many of the items mentioned. I'm sure he'll be very encouraged by your ideas. It gets his "motor running" so to speak.
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Post by unionguy on Feb 2, 2009 18:05:32 GMT -5
There is no art work in the Union as of yet. There will be an Art Committee forming soon who will decide on what direction we will go in the building as far as art is concerned. We also plan to put large photo banners in the Campus Cafe' depicting campus life. Those should be selected very shortly. The Alumni Room and Heritage Room are located on the second floor and each of those rooms will show off the history and heritage of the University. As far as bible scripture of a crucifix neither has been discussed as of now. I cannot give you an answer at this time. I am glad overall that you enjoyed the building. It sure is doing everything that we wanted it to.
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Post by 78crusader on Feb 2, 2009 18:33:56 GMT -5
Trouble is, unionman, relatively few guests, visitors, and prospective students, not to mention current VU students, will ever see the inside of these rooms you mention. If we are going to celebrate and recognize the history and tradition of VU in this wonderful new building, then let's put the displays where they can be seen by the most people, instead of placing them in upstairs conference rooms, tucked away on the second floor, that relatively few people will ever use. You've got a ton of bulletin boards on the first floor, right in the middle of the flow of traffic. Not to mention an archivist who could help you select some really cool materials for these displays. I say, let's use these resources. Paul
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Feb 3, 2009 5:37:21 GMT -5
I also think the new union needs some Valpo heritage. One of my main criticisms of the new union (and I have very few) is that it is a fairly boring looking building. Sure, it fits into VU's landscape and it is a very functional building. But why should our 150 year-old campus look only 50 years old at most? When I tell prospective students and their families that Valpo is 150 years old, they hardly believe it since all they see are modern, relatively boring buildings.
As for the inside, how about a 20-foot Christmas tree in the main lobby for Christmas?? It would look fantastic!
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Post by vuweathernerd on Feb 3, 2009 9:45:11 GMT -5
I also think the new union needs some Valpo heritage. One of my main criticisms of the new union (and I have very few) is that it is a fairly boring looking building. Sure, it fits into VU's landscape and it is a very functional building. But why should our 150 year-old campus look only 50 years old at most? When I tell prospective students and their families that Valpo is 150 years old, they hardly believe it since all they see are modern, relatively boring buildings. As for the inside, how about a 20-foot Christmas tree in the main lobby for Christmas?? It would look fantastic! it's february. nobody's gonna want to see a christmas tree right now. although i'm sure that'd make it a lot cheaper.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on May 11, 2009 7:50:43 GMT -5
I wasn't sure where to post this, but I thought this might be ok. I took this picture a few about a year ago and forgot to post it, but the new union looks just about complete. Enjoy.
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Post by agibson on May 11, 2009 8:01:44 GMT -5
Beautiful photo!
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