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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 22, 1950)
Friday, September 22, 1950 THE BATTALION Page 3 Former Students Aid In Center’s Beginning The Association of Former Stu dents, as of Jan. 1, 1950, had con tributed $285,000 for an idea which was talked about as long ago as 1920—a Student Center for A&M. The first concrete move was the $707 left by the Classes of ’35 and ’36 to be used “if and when” a Student Center was ever built. These classes had enough faith to believe that such a project was more than an ordinary dream—it was a golden dream and a cer tainty. In 1942 this dream became the first real objective of the Ex-Stu- dent Development Fund. In the period 1942-1946, bonds totaling $234,000 were purchased from con tributions to start a building fund for the Memorial Student Center. FSA Objectives Objectives of the former students in raising the money were: • To provide a heart and soul for a great campus and for the life and activities of a great student body and school. • To erect .a memorial to all those A&M men whose war service down through the years has meant so much to their country. • To provide a campus center where A&M men may find comfort and a warm welc.ome when they visit their school and to provide similar hospitality and accommo dations to other visitors, parents, and sweethearts. The idea of a Development Fund by the Association of Former Stu dents started during the presidency of A. G. Pfaff, '25, in 1940-41. It was further developed in 1941-42 by Tyree L. Bell, '13, and actually started in William J. Lawson's presidency, 1942-43. In 1942 the first mailing cam paign began asking contributions. Members of the joint committee on this project during this year were R. W. Briggs, '17; T. O. Walton, and Bell. 6,227 men contributed $60,000 in War Bonds this year. Members of the Executive Board of Directors during the first year the drive was launched were Wil liam J. Lawson, '24, president; J. P. Hamblen, '27, vice president; Rufus Peeples, '28; Carroll Gaines, '12; and Bell, '13. In speaking of the proposed Center, Walton, president of A&M during this time, said, “It Thomas to Handle Center Purchasing Purchasing agent and building superintendent of the Memorial Student Center is M. E. Thomas. The “nerve center'' of the build ing, his department is responsible for the maintenance and house keeping, the purchasing of resale merchandise and general supplies, and the processing of all records pertaining to purchasing. FABRICS and DECORATIONS By ANN FELTS of Houston 2604 Lawson WA 1189 will place A&M men in real part nership with the directors and fac ulty of the college in building a great school.” McQuillen Planned Project E. E. McQuillen, '20, was execu tive secretary and planned the project of raising money for the Development Fund before it ac tually got under way. He is now director of the Development B^und. In the 1943-44 fund campaign, members of the Board of Directors were Hamblen, president; Peeples, vice president; T. W. Mohle, '21; Bell, and H. Dick Winters, '16. An officer of the Former Students said, “A golden dream is taking shape as the Development Fund enters its second year.” $72,000 in bonds were bought from contribu tions of 7,404 exes. Peeples was president in 1944-45, and Winters was vice president. Over 8,000 former students con tributed money used to purchase $54,000 in bonds for the building fund. In the year 1945-46, Winters was president, Carroll Gaines, vice president. $48,000 of bonds were purchased from the contributions of 8,500 exes. When this money was raised it was turned over to the Board of Directors of the college, which au thorized the A&M System architect to draw the plans. From Exchange Store During the four fiscal years of 1945-46 thru 1948-49, the Exchange Store has contributed $107,688.27 One of the most attractive features in A&M's new Memorial Student Center is its secretarial staff. Left to right, are Frances Allen, cashier; Martha Williams, assistant bookkeeper; Elaine Lester, secretary; Estha Nowlin, personnel sec retary; and Helen Atterbury, secretary to direct or J. Wayne Stark. operating fund and $50,000 to the building fund. The remainder of the money needed to build the $2 million structure was appropriated by the Board of Directors. With the opening of the Memo- to the Memorial Student Center rial Student Center this fall, the building will represent the dreams that thousands of former students, faculty and staff members, and students have had for over 25 years. There are many stories which will never be published concerning behind-the-scenes meetings to talk about raising money for the Stu dent Center, but the work, time, and contributions of all who have made it possible to open its doors in this 75th Anniversary Year will never be forgotten. Bunte Brothers Joins Texas A&M College in celebrating jointly our 75th year of service to the people of Texas. Bunte 75 Years Of World Famous Candies Texas A&M 75 Years Of Higher Education Our heartiest congratulations to Texas A&M on the opening of the new Memorial Student Center. Bunte world famous Box Chocolates, Candy Bars and Jar Candies are sold at all the Memorial Student Center shops. Chicago, Illinois