Built in the fall of 1973, the Arkansas Union celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 20 at the Verizon Ballroom. The Director of the Union Rob Stagni looked back on the celebration. He said it was a great time with a lot of folks coming through and feedback from students who enjoyed the program. 

“We got to do some clever and creative and fun things that we don’t get to do with our daily jobs, so that was a great opportunity,” Stagni said.  

The planning for the celebration started about a year and a half ago. Stagni said the committee gathered a variety of people from the building and the campus. He said they tried to figure out what the 50th celebration should have looked like. 

 “It can’t be all party with no purpose, and it can’t be all very tedious black and white displays on a wall somewhere there,” Stagni said. “There had to be a middle ground.” 

Nigel York, assistant director of event services, said he provided audio video reinforcement for the event and helped set up furniture in the ballroom for the tabling. He said there were hotdogs and a 50th cake provided by Ozark Catering. 

Stagni connected the 50th anniversary cake to the 25th anniversary because of the similar cake scenarios. 

“We have pictures of that cake from two and a half decades ago,” Stagni said. “So now we have pictures of cakes over the years around here to celebrate the building.”  

Stagni said they tried to host throwback activities for the celebration, and the cornhole game became one of the signature features. The ASG presidents, the chair of the union advisory committee and Chancellor Charles Robinson played the game.  

York said the Union is the heartbeat of campus. 

“Everyone is pretty much in and out of here every day at some point because of the food court and/or events going on in here. I interacted and encountered people from all over campus,” York said. 

Stagni agreed that the Union is the beating heart of campus. He said there are many things that happen in and around the building, with many people coming in for hundreds and thousands of different purposes. He said the Union receives about 3 million people a year, so even though it is a little overwhelming, they strive to be as many things as they can for the campus and for the people. 

“At the end of the day, people generally have a good feeling about the Union, about using a department or a service, about coming to an event here, getting to see a comedy show here, coming to class here,” Stagni said. “And if they have a good experience, that is our goal of the day.”