UND Homecoming: Stand up and cheer for two indispensable buildings

Homecoming events feature Memorial Union dedication and Chester Fritz Library Grand Reopening

Celebrate Homecoming at the University of North Dakota on Friday, Oct. 22, with the Chester Fritz Library Grand Reopening at 3 p.m. and the Memorial Union Dedication at 4 p.m.

For information about other Homecoming Week events, which include a blood drive, a 5K and a Drive-In Movie hosted by UND Greek Life, visit the UND Alumni Association & Foundation’s Homecoming Events page.

Memorial Union dedication

 Join the UND community to celebrate the Memorial Union Dedication on Friday, Oct. 22, at 4 p.m. in the fireside lounge. Speakers will include President Armacost, Student Body President Kaelan Reedy, State Board of Higher Education member Gracie Lian, and more.

The new building, with soaring ceilings and windows, has a three-story atrium, fireplace, meeting rooms and study spaces, and a flexible design. With multiple dining options, including Panda Express and Starbucks, the new Union will serve UND students for decades.

It stands as a living monument and as a sign of the student body’s lasting gratitude to all UND students, alumni, faculty and staff who died in military service. UND students voted and approved a student fee in 2018 to demolish the old building, built in 1951, and construct a new Memorial Union.

“The vision for a new Memorial Union began to take shape in spring 2016,” said Cassie Gerhardt, associate vice president for student affairs. “Since then, Student Government leaders worked to define the project’s scope and championed the project. They believed that a modernized Memorial Union would positively impact future generations of students. It is so exciting to see their vision and hard work realized and it is even more exciting to see students enjoy the new facility. We are looking forward to officially dedicating the Memorial Union in conjunction with Homecoming when a number of the past Student Government leaders will be able to join us.”

Chester Fritz Library Grand Reopening

 Learn more about the renovation and check out the beautiful space at the Chester Fritz Library Grand Reopening Celebration Friday, Oct. 22, at 3 p.m. Speakers will include President Armacost, Dean Stephanie Walker, CIO Madhavi Marasinghe and more. Tours will be provided and refreshments will be served.

After nearly six years of planning and construction, the Chester Fritz Library transformation is complete. During this transformation they were able to retain the beauty of the exterior, along with many interior features, collections and services while adding new services and updating spaces.

“We are delighted to have completed the first major renovation of the historic Chester Fritz Library since 1981,” said Stephanie Walker, dean of libraries & information resources. “We have increased student study spaces, including more group study rooms and a large new study space on the second floor, and greatly improved the availability and quality of technologies in the building. We have also partnered with various other knowledge partners on campus, including University IT, the Writing Center and The Teaching Trandformation and Development Academy (TTaDA), the Artificial Intelligence/Virtual Reality Lab, as well as others) to bring a number of academic support services together, so that they can all be accessed in one space. Our primary motivation for this renovation was to improve the services and spaces for our students and faculty, and from the feedback we have gotten, it seems we’ve succeeded! I would also like to say that I’m very grateful to UND senior administration, Student Government, and all of our knowledge partners for the support and collaborative spirit they’ve shown throughout this endeavor.”