Iowa Memorial Union

100 years ago TODAY - Feb. 6, 1926 - at noon, the Iowa Memorial Union was officially dedicated. What started as a dream for students to build community, socialize, and grow became a reality. A home on campus for celebration, military recognition, and service to the community was created.

🎂 Happy 100th Birthday, IMU!! On to the next 100!!

The first event hosted at the IMU took place 100 YEARS AGO TODAY! 🌟

On Feb. 5, 1926, the Military Ball was held in the Main Lounge - becoming an annual tradition for many years and honoring those who served in the U.S. military.

For a century, the IMU has stood not only as the heart of campus life but also a place of honor and remembrance for generations of Hawkeyes who have served their country. 🇺🇸🖤💛



Photo credits: , , University of Iowa Yearbook

“Early November 1967 (my junior year), things were heating up on campus with the anti-war protesters. The Marine Corps recruiters were at IMU and I wanted to speak with them. As the protesters tried to block entrance to IMU, I literally had to climb over a few to gain entrance. My recollection is the over 100 protesters were arrested that day.” – Steve Gregory

Photo provided by Steve Gregory, featuring coverage from the Daily Iowan on the day he interviewed with Marine Corps recruiters in the IMU.

Thank you, Steve, for sharing this IMU memory! 🖤💛

The nation's first illegal draft card burning took place at the IMU over 60 years ago.

On Oct. 20, 1965, Stephen Smith burned his draft card during the “Soap Box Soundoff” student meeting in protest of the Vietnam War shortly after Congress made draft card destruction a federal crime.

Smith was later tried and convicted in U.S. District Court and sentenced to three years of probation.



Photo credits:

We love uncovering pieces of the IMU's 100-year history - especially treasures like this!

Swipe to see century-old memorabilia from the IMU, including a keepsake from the building's dedication in 1926 and a report from The Association of College and University Unions meeting, held here in 1927.

Thank you to Corbin Smyth from Northwestern University for sharing with us!

There was a time when the IMU was considered the "living room" on campus. Students gathered to watch their favorite shows - especially their beloved soap operas. According to alum Kristin Wing, this devotion caused a bit of a...scheduling conflict... 📺

"My freshman year at Iowa? A scheduling disaster. Not due to overfull classes—oh no—it was because I refused to miss the 1980s soap craze General Hospital. My Delta Gamma sisters and I staked out the TV in the union daily like it was our full-time job. I finally admitted this to my Iowa alum parents…decades later."

Kristin is pictured on the right with fellow Delta Gamma sorority sister Jane Lauder during their Hawkeye days. Also pictured is her Delta Gamma pledge class on the front lawn of their house at Burlington and Summit - with many of the IMU's soap opera couch regulars!

Thank you, Kristin, for sharing this IMU memory with us! 🖤💛

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the IMU on November 11, 1959, on the future of race relations.

In his address, Dr. King said, "Men hate each other because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don't know each other. They don't know each other because they fail to communicate with each other. They do not communicate with each other because they are separated from each other."

Listen to Dr. King's lecture at the link in the comments.

Photo and recording courtesy University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections & Archives and University of Iowa Libraries

From 1924 when the area occupied barns, to present day as the IMU is undergoing an $81.4 million renovation project, the space continues to evolve to meet the needs of students.

What started as a place for men to gather socially has grown into the heart of student life on campus and SOON - space for a centrally located well-being center offering mental and physical health services, wellness programs, and student care support and resources.

We're proud of this space we consider home away from home. 🖤💛



Photo credits: University of Iowa Libraries University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections & Archives jatorner, tperrin

At 90 years old, Loy Brooks remembers one of his proudest Hawkeye moments.

Loy wrote to share details about a photo featured in Iowa Magazine’s coverage of the IMU centennial. The photo, taken in June 1957 during the Air Force ROTC commissioning ceremony at graduation, shows Loy saluting memorial plaques honoring Hawkeyes who died in service.

“As Colonel Cadet Corp Commander, I was honored to salute our members,” Loy recalls.

Loy is a member of the class of 1957 and now lives independently in Des Moines. Thank you, Loy, for sharing this IMU memory – and for your service. Go Hawks!

Have you seen the article about the IMU’s 100th anniversary in Iowa Magazine? Check it out at the link in the comments!

Historic photo courtesy University of Iowa Libraries, University Archives.

Just two weeks left to get your tickets for the Iowa Memorial Union Centennial Gala! Join us Saturday, Feb. 14, as we celebrate 100 years of...

Friendship
Laughter
Learning
Community
History
Music
Family
Food
Growth

..and get ready for the next century of the IMU!

Purchase tickets now at imu.uiowa.edu/gala

Photo credits: University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries, tperrin, jatorner