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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1950)
History of Union Begins (Continued from page one) by a $10,000 donation from Mr. and Mrs, George Giustina and fam ily. The money was given to fur nish a room in the Student Union as a memorial to Major Tom T. Taylor, the son-in-law of the Guis tinas, who was killed in action over Europe in 1942. $100,00 by. 1946 Approximately $100,000 was contributed by early 1946. Along with this, the building site was paid for and definite plans were established. At this point the late Ernest Haycox, alumni president in 1946 47, president of the Dads’ Club in 1948-49, and appropriately a mem ber of the Class of 1925, took over the drive. He turned it into a na tional campaign, and as a result, ground-breaking ceremonies were held in June, 1948. Contracts for construction were signed Oct. 7, 1948. Construction began in November. Ross B. Ham mond of Portland was general contractor. The $2,100,000 Union opened its doors to Oregon students Sept. 17 of this year. The dream of men like McGregor, Erb, and Haycox is now a reality. The Student Union attests to the fact that their efforts were well rewarded. SU—Dream Come True tContinued from fane one) the most popular campus spot, with students using its facilities. Nearly 30 meetings can be held in the building in one day if neces sary. Bowling leagues have already been formed and are using the al leys. The Women's Athletic Associ ation will put 40 teams onto the alleys in January. So many students are playing ping-pong that 28 paddles were worn out in the first three weeks of school, Williams reported. The Union was built entirely through gifts by students, alumni, and friends of the University. The site of the building is the only do nation of the taxpayers. As Williams says, ‘Tve seen every important student union building in the country, and I challenge anybody to prove that ours isn’t the best one.” Congratulations to the alumni and students of the University of Oregon who are responsible for a Me morial building the state of Oregon may well be proud. Modern and up to date in every respect, it is indeed a fitting tribute to Donald M. Erb, past president of the University, who planned for such a building until the time of his death.