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Downing University Center (WKU) |
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Other Names - DUC 1969-2013 Downing Student Union, 2014- Date Built - 1970 Dedicated - Oct. 10, 1970 Cost of Construction - $4.1 million Gross Square Feet - 193,547 (1970) Architects - Ben Johnson & Frederick St. Clair, Owensboro Namesake: Dr. Dero Goodman Downing, the fourth president of WKU, was born September 10, 1921, in Fountain Run, Kentucky. Dr. Downing began his long affiliation with WKU as a student in 1939, earning his undergraduate degree in mathematics in 1943. He was a prominent student leader during his undergraduate career and served as president of the senior class. He was also a star member of one of Coach E.A. Diddle's finest basketball teams, including the first WKU team to participate in the National Invitational Tournament. Downing met his wife Harriet Elizabeth Yarnell, when she was a freshman at WKU. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1942, completing Midshipman School shortly before the couple married on October 22, 1943. After graduation, Downing servced as an officer on a ship carrying troops and supplies in the first wave to hit the beaches at Normandy on D-Day. He was engaged in naval activity across the English channel between England and France until the end of World War II and was released from active service with the rank of Lieutenant JG. In 1946, Downing returned to WKU as a mathematics teachers and basketball coach at College High School, a division of Western's Training School. He completed his Master of Arts degree in 1947 and was named director of the College High Training School in 1956. Downing received his Ed. S. degree from Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville. He served as Registrar, Director of Admissions, Dean of Business Affairs, and Vice President for Administration before being named WKU's fourth President in 1969. He remained President until 1979, at which time he took the helm of the College Heights Foundation. He served as President of the Foundation until 1997, and then stayed actively involved as Chairman of the CHF Board of Directors until his death on April 4, 2011. The WKU spirit filled Dero Downing's personal and professional life. He and Harriet shared a partnership that started on the hill when they met as students and resulted in 67 years of marriage and five children who all became graduates of WKU. Downing's faith and passions were forged by beliefs planted deep within his Kentucky roots, while his strong values and loyalties were shaped by predecessors to the office he held for ten years. His life was lived in witness to and with significant influence on those rare and rich traditions that distinguished WKU in American higher education. Selected education and honors: AB degree from Western, 1943 MA degree from Western, 1947 Ed. S. degree from Peabody College, 1958 Downing University Center named, 1970 Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Kentucky Wesleyan, 1970 Honorary Doctor of Laws from Murray, 1972 Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Morehead, 1974 Honorary Doctor of Laws from Eastern, 1979 President emeritus from Western, 1979 WKU Sofia-Downing International Center named, 2002 WKU ROTC Hall of Fame, 2007 History: Downing University Center aka DUC is a 172,000 square foot, air-conditioned building. "The first floor will contain student shops, mechanical rooms and storage areas. The main floor will include a cafeteria seating about 500 persons, a grill accommodating about 560, a 750-seat theater and the main entrance lobby. On the third floor will be a university store, browsing library and reading room, offices of the Associated Students, music and television rooms, a rehearsal room, meeting rooms, and classrooms. Bowling lanes, billiards, table tennis and shuffleboard facilities provided on the fourth floor. ["University Center Bids Due in Sept.," Park City Daily News] It replaced the Garrett Conference Center as the Student Union. For more information regarding student union buildings see Cedar House and Garrett Conference Center. Additions: 1997 - McDonald's, Chik-fil-A, Freshens, Topper Café were added 1999 - renovations on 4th floor due to major storm in 1998, also entire building received new lighting, a dance floor with a sound system, an expanded outdoor eating area, and a huge arcade. This was the first major renovation since 1970 when the building was completed. 2003 - enclosed walkway around south end of DUC with brick and glass, expanded dinning space by 400 seats, added second floor space 2005 - construction of Student Success Center which includes Academic Advising Center, Career Services Center, and Students with Disabilities Services 2012-2014 - renovation of entire building, building renamed Downing Student Center College Heights Herald: 1968 September 19, p. 27 1969 March 20, p. 8 1970 October 10, p. 2; November 17, p. 1 1971 October 5, p. 4; October 16, p. 3B 1972 March 28 p. 1 1973 January 16, p. 1; January 19, p. 1, August 28, p. 15A 1974 August 27, p. 3A; October 1, p. 1 1975 August 26, p. 10B 1976 August 24, p. 11A 1977 February 11, p. 9; February 18, p. 6 1978 August 31, p. 12; October 12, p. 7 1979 February 20, p. 8 1981 October 13, p. 19 1984 October 16, p. 13 1985 August 27, p. 7B 1986 February 25, p. 11; October 14, p. 16 1987 February 5, p. 1; March 3, p. 5; Sept. 1, p. 11; Nov. 3, p. 7 1992 October 6, p. 1 1993 November 11, p. 1 1994 February 8, p. 8 1995 January 12, p. 12 1997 August 28, p. 6 1998 April 21 p. 1A; April 23, p. 1; September 1, p. 11 1999 February 4, p. 7; Feb. 23, p. 8; April 13, pp. 1 & 5; August 31, p. 5 2000 January 13, p. 10; August 31, p. 3 October 31, p. 5 2001 November 15, p. 6 Park City Daily News: "$12.5 Million in Steel and Concrete," Aug. 4, 1968 "$3.98 Million Low Bid on WKU Center," Sept. 20, 1968 Mink, Jenna. "Dero Downing Dies at Age 89," April 5, 2011 "University Center Bids Due in Sept.," Aug. 4, 1968 "WKU Center Bids Total $1.2 Million," Sep. 13, 1968 Louisville Courier-Journal: Brown, Mike. "New Western Center Draws Students," Nov. 23, 1970 "New Center in Western Kentucky's Future," Nov. 2, 1968 "Western to Build $4 Million Center," Aug. 4, 1968 Documents & Primary Sources: UA1C11/31 Downing University Center Photograph Collection UA2 Board of Regents Meeting Minutes 1967 - August 4 1968 - September 21 1969 - July 8 - building named 1982 - April 24 UA3/1/1 Kelly Thompson Correspondence / Subject File - inventory UA30/1/1 Planning, Design & Construction - Blueprints, Drawings & Plans - inventory UA56/3/3 Institutional Research SACS Reports - inventory |
Archives Entries |
245 |
Library Entries |
15 |
Object Entries |
1 |
Photograph Entries |
225 |
Related Records
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2000 Presidential Election - Lewis, Clinton
Unidentified students in Downing University Center promoting their cause during the election. If you recognize this photo and can help identify the people in it, please send feedback - above.
Record Type: Photo
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2000 Presidential Election - Lewis, Clinton
Unidentified students in Downing University Center promoting their cause during the election. If you recognize this photo and can help identify the people in it, please send feedback - above.
Record Type: Photo
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2000 Presidential Election - Lewis, Clinton
Unidentified libertarians in Downing University Center promoting their cause during the election. If you recognize this photo and can help identify the people in it, please send feedback - above.
Record Type: Photo
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