Memorial Union wraps up anniversary

The Wisconsin Union wraps up its celebration of Memorial Union’s 75th anniversary with a trio of events in May and June: the Terrace Chairs on the Town Auction, the Union Affiliate Reception and TerraceFest.

Online bidding for 12 of the oversize Terrace chairs begins Monday, May 3, when the chairs return to Memorial Union to be displayed together.

Everyone who loves the Union can gather to reminisce at the Union Affiliate Reception on Saturday, May 8, 6-8 p.m. Held in conjunction with Alumni Reunion Weekend, the reception will be followed by music and dancing from 8-11 p.m. Cost is $15. To register: http://www.union.wisc.edu/75.

TerraceFest, held on June 12, is a community-based fete that will formally close Memorial Union’s 75th anniversary while kicking off the traditional Hot Summer Nights music series on the Union Terrace.

As nine months of festivities celebrating the last 75 years wind down, Director Mark Guthier is looking forward.

“We’re forging ahead with some ambitious projects as part of our facilities master plan,” says Guthier.

To continue to fulfill the Union’s mission of creating a sense of place for the campus and the community, the organization is considering renovating meeting rooms in Memorial Union’s east wing; creating support suites near the Union Theater; improving food options and expanding outdoor space at Union South; and establishing a Union presence on the west side of campus.

“We’re just finishing celebrating Memorial Union’s 75th anniversary,” Guthier says, “but we’re already looking forward to its 100th birthday and where the students and our extended university family will take us.”