UND to break ground on new Memorial Union on Friday, Oct. 4, during Homecoming

UND will break ground for the new Memorial Union on Friday, Oct. 4, 3:30 p.m., on the northeast lawn of the Law School. In case of inclement weather the groundbreaking will be held at the Law School Atrium.

Guest speakers for the ground breaking include UND Interim President Joshua Wynne, North Dakota State Board of Higher Education Vice Chair Dr. Casey Ryan, UND Vice President of Student Affairs & Diversity Cara Halgren and CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation DeAnna Carlson Zink.

Former UND Student Body President Erik Hanson and current president, Gracie Lian, also will take the podium – representing the student leadership that has led efforts to bring the proposed $80-million project closer to reality. Last November, UND students voted in favor of replacing the former aging Memorial Union facility by increasing student fees to largely support the construction and long-term capital upkeep of the new Memorial Union.

In July, President Wynne led a successful effort to reduce the construction’s financial impact on students while also committing annual funding toward non-student uses of the new building.

Scheduled to be completed in 2021, the new Memorial Union will feature 158,000 square feet and three stories of meeting and engagement spaces, up-to-date technology, student services and expanded dining and retail options as the cornerstone of campus