Oklahoma Memorial Union to Celebrate 95th Anniversary

Faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited to celebrate the University of Oklahoma Memorial Union’s 95^th anniversary at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 25, 2024, in Beaird Lounge with cake and punch. The event is free and open to the public.

“The Union is an important and historic landmark on campus,” said Laura Tontz, Oklahoma Memorial Union director. “Throughout the years, the Union has served as the center of campus activity, and we wanted to gather to celebrate all the changes both in the past and to come with the university community.”

As part of this celebratory year, Tontz is encouraging everyone whose life has been impacted by the Union during their time at OU to donate $95. Donations can be made through the University of Oklahoma Foundation at this link.

“Please join us for the birthday and anniversary party and consider giving $95 in honor of 95 years,” Tontz said. “The funds will be used for future upkeep and creation of new amenities for students, faculty and staff at OU.”
 

For information and accommodations, visit ou.edu/union or contact the Union Business Office at (405) 325-2121 or union@ou.edu.

The History

The Oklahoma Memorial Union formally opened in November 1928 as a memorial to OU students and alumni who lost their lives during WWI. The building opened months before the Wall Street crash of 1929 and the Great Depression. As a result, the Union opened with sparse adornments and it took several years to fully furnish it. The original building featured a bookstore, cafeteria, soda fountain, billiards and game room, ballroom, Alumni Association, Union offices, and offices for student government.

The center of the building was the original structure. The original plans included the clock tower, however, due to budget constraints, it was left off. It was finally added in 1936 as a WPA project. In 1951 the north and south wings were added, and the original structure was renovated. The Union was not renovated again until 1995. The Clarke-Anderson Room was added in 1998, and the Archie W. Dunham-Conoco Student Leadership Center was added in 2000.

The Union is open 24-hours a day, 360 days of the year, and features over 225,000 square feet of meeting and event space, ranging from intimate rooms and lounges for smaller events to outdoor venues and the 6,500-square-foot ballroom for larger events and weddings. Spaces are available for students, faculty, staff or community members to reserve.

The building also features seven dining options, including a newly renovated Starbucks location and various vendors. The Union is home to a variety of student services including the Career Center, Student Life offices, Leadership and Volunteerism, the Gender + Equality Center, Student Affairs and the University Student Association.