Originally published in The News-Star newspaper, April 2, 2006

After thanking J.C. Liner Sr. and J.C. Liner Jr. of radio station KMLB for the opportunities afforded Northeast Center to broadcast over their station, C.C. Colvert spent the rest of his Oct. 13, 1938, broadcast describing the building program at the college.

"Did you know we have here on campus the most beautiful and the most magnificent building of its kind in the state of Louisiana?" Colvert asked as he began describing the Student Center Building that had just been completed. It was also known as the Social Building or Social Center and was the first new building added as the college grew beyond its single main building. It is nice to think that the present day ULM pride in being a "student-centered" university began with this Student Center.

The Student Center boasted a 14-by-36 foot kitchen and a 36-by-75 foot cafeteria, described by Colvert as "commodious" and having seating for 150 people. There was also a 26-by-60-foot social room where students could lounge during vacant class periods. A lovely feature of this room was a beautiful black Belgian marble fireplace, which is seen in many of the photos of the time. In the western end of the building there was a bookstore, a branch of the U.S. Post Office and a soda fountain. The second floor contained dormitory rooms for male athletes. For many years this building served, among other things, as the Student Center, a women's dormitory (it can claim its place in ULM history as the first dormitory on campus) and a bookstore and post office. Its second floor was used in recent years to house the PowWow and Chacahoula offices.

For much of the past 30 years, the building's windows were completely covered. This past year, as part of the renovation of the Student Union Building complex, the windows were uncovered and refurbished, and once again the Student Center can look out on the passing parade of students, faculty and staff members.

Colvert said in his broadcast, "You must come out to see it to anywhere near appreciate this wonderful building." It is worth a visit to see what this grand building is becoming and to celebrate her place in our history.

As you do visit and enjoy the beauty of our campus, take time to walk just north of the new library. Here you will see the remnant of an extensive area known as "bayou gardens.'' It was here that planters were placed along the bayou, long tables stood for various meals and watermelon parties and students gathered under the pine trees. All that remains is a small grotto overlooking the bayou. There remains also a large barbecue pit built at least as early as 1957. It has been restored to working condition and proudly stands ready once again to serve students, faculty and staff members as they celebrate some significant event.

Have a great day at ULM.

Dr. John Knesel, ULM Professor