Union Memories
Have Union memories that you would like to share? Email them to us at Union.Memories@umich.edu with "Union memories" in the subject line. Please be sure to include your full name.
“I received a scholarship grant of $50 in 1939 or 1940 when I was a waiter in the very prestigious Union dining room. That was education in addition to engineering, serving Rachmaninoff, Segovia, and the other greats who came each year for the May Festival.”
Excerpt taken from a letter sent by Regent Emeritus Allan R. Sorenson
“I had a job at the Union as a busboy in the cafeteria. I worked there five years, including three summer schools, and graduated from the law school in 1942…Over the years, I did many things at the Union – busboy, peeling vegetables, behind the counter, check room attendant at the checkroom between the cafeteria and the swimming pool and finally, attendant at Pendleton Library. The Union pay was, I believe $.35 per hour. At least $3.75 per week had to be eaten at the Union and the excess, if any, was paid monthly in cash. Those jobs were eagerly sought, and many members of the athletic teams worked there, too. I remember washing dishes from the cafeteria alongside Al Wistert, who later was All American and All Pro at tackle for Philadelphia…My alumni scholarship and my job at the Union made it all possible.”
Excerpt taken from a letter received by Jack Shuler (’42)
“One item that has always given me great pride is the fact when I served on the Union Board (1986-1988), I was the one who suggested to put the M flag on top of the building, I know that that flag atop the Union has become a great symbol for the entire University. The idea arose as part of an effort by the Board to “Michiganize” the Union. Our feeling was that the Union as previously “decorated” could have been on any college campus. While I do not recall the other initiatives taken at the time, I know that the flag was an important and lasting component of that effort.”
Excerpt taken from an e-mail received by Mike Weil (’85 and ’88)
