The 2010s
(2010-2019)
The K-State Student Union continued to serve as host to campus and the community. Housing one of the area's largest banquet facilities, premier food services and cutting-edge programs, the Union served students' everyday needs. Union services and programs changed in accordance with students’ needs. In this decade, the Union underwent another major renovation that was voted on and funded by K-State students. The new renovation brought a brand new look, provided large study spaces and new restaurants for students to enjoy.
Highlights
- Skywalk connecting Union and Parking Garage opened
- Smriga named sixth Union Director
- $25 million renovation referendum passed
- Workshop Architects and Bowman Bowman Novick Inc. selected to design renovation
- Union Renovation Celebration
- Select K-State Libraries services relocate to the Union following the Hale Library fire.
- Williamson named seventh Union Director
See the detailed Your Union renovation website here. The project spanned 2013-2018 from the referendum vote, to the Renovation Celebration, to the grand opening of the final restaurant that was part of the project's scope.
| January 2010 | The K-State Parking Garage skywalk opened allowing easier, direct access to the Union's facilities, services and programs. |
| June 2010 | The K-State Message Board was constructed on Anderson Avenue giving campus organizations and entities an opportunity to advertise their programs to the Manhattan community. |
| September 2010 | Chartwells renovated the Union Foodcourt. |
| September 2010 | Einstein Brothers Bagels opened in Hale Library. |
| Spring 2011 | Denny's Express opened in the Union Foodcourt. |
| Spring 2011 | The K-State Veterans Center opened in the former KSU Office Supply location. |
| August 2011 | Bill Smriga became the sixth director of the K-State Student Union. |
| January 2013 | Sodexo was contracted to operate Union Food Service. |
| April 2013 | Nearly 75 percent of students voting in an April referendum supported a $25 million renovation project for the Union. The enhancements included expanded student organization space, dining facilities and retail options. See the detailed project website here. |
| July 2013 | Follett Higher Education Group assumed management responsibility for the Union bookstore, now called the K-State Campus Store. |
| September 2013 | Partnering firms of Workshop Architects and Bowman Bowman Novick Inc. win the bid to develop a comprehensive architectural building program, conceptual design and phasing recommendations for the upcoming $25 million renovation and expansion of the Union. |
| September 2014 | Workshop Architects and Bowman Bowman Novick Inc. were selected to design the final plans for the K-State Student Union renovation. |
| August 2015 | The Union began relocating various offices, departments and organizations in order to prepare for the upcoming Your Union renovation. |
| September 2015 | The K-State campus, Manhattan community and surrounding area celebrated the groundbreaking for Your Union renovation on Sept. 2, 2015, outside the north entrance of the K-State Student Union. |
| December 2015 | The Union Food Court closed for business, to be replaced with mini-restaurants that will offer a variety of food choices and seating locations when the project is completed. A rotating schedule of food trucks rolled onto Bosco Student Plaza, bringing with them a variety of food options to campus. |
| August 2016 |
The first major features of the new renovation began rolling out, including Qdoba Mexican Eats and Panda Express, an open-air Union Courtyard, the new South Entrance, a restructured Campus Store, and a refreshed Second Floor. |
| October 2016 | Just Salad opened in the Union. |
| January 2017 | Chick-fil-A reopens in the Union as the dining area is renovated. |
| April 2017 |
Radina's Coffeehouse & Roastery reopens in the Union, bringing the total number of campus Radina's locations to four (Leadership Studies, Engineering Complex, College of Business). |
| August 2017 | Call Hall at the Union opened, featuring ice cream made by university dairy sciences. |
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October 2017 |
The Union Renovation Dedication was held Oct. 13, 2017, celebrated with weeklong activities and featuring a balloon drop with 2017 balloons. |
| March 2018 | Union Station by JP's opened in the Union through a partnership with K-State Housing and Dining Services. This K-State original was modeled after JP’s in the Jardine Complex, featuring locally sourced menu items. Fast Track opened as an adjacent quick service area. |
| May 2018 | Following the Hale Library fire on May 22, 2018, departments and services are relocated across campus. The IT Help Desk and the Library Help Desk move into the Cats' Pause Lounge and the first floor Welcome Desk, respectively. |
| September 2018 | Corey Williamson becomes the seventh director of the K-State Student Union. |
| January 2019 | Union Kitchen opens as a Union designed and operated restaurant after Just Salad closed in May 2018. It was temporarily called The Salad Spot through the summer and fall of 2018 as the final concept was developed. |
| Spring 2019 |
The William T. Kemper Art Gallery is turned over to K-State Libraries staff for storage and workspace as recovery from the Hale Library fire continues. |
| May 2019 |
On May 10, 2019, an all-campus retirement reception was held for Pat Bosco, vice president for student life, on Bosco Student Plaza. New signage was unveiled for the Plaza as part of the celebration. |
| September 2019 | The Round-Up for Cats’ Cupboard initiative starts at Union Kitchen to support the K-State food pantry. |