Gallagher Student Center

History of GSC

Student Unions of Xavier University's Campus

1919: Union Building

The Union Building was built in 1898 as the clubhouse for the Avondale Athletic Association. In 1919, the college relocated to its current campus, and the Old Red Building (now known as the Union Building) became one of the first buildings on the site. It served as the first classroom building and student activity center. After Edgecliff and Hinkle halls were built, the Union Building became the cafeteria and activities center, serving as the student union of the campus. It was demolished around 1966.

 

1947: South Hall

To accommodate the influx of servicemen on the G.I. Bill in the fall of 1946, Xavier University constructed two military barracks on campus, North and South Hall. Most of the barracks were used to house students. As student enrollment increased from returning veterans of World War II, South Hall opened up for student use. South Hall was used as a student lounge until 1965. It stood at the entrance to University Drive and was demolished in 1981.

 

1965: University Center

University Center was the first major student union for Xavier University. University Center had a dining room and grill, theatre, meeting rooms, a bookstore, activities offices, recreation areas, and administrative offices. The top floor of the building had a meeting room named the Board Room as it served as the primary location for the Board of Trustees sessions. The University Center was demolished in 2000.

 

2002: Gallagher Student Center

The Gallagher Student Center opened in April 2002, named after Charles P. Gallagher  ('60), a Denver Business Leader and Trustee from 1994- 2012. With its clock tower marking the visual focus and entrance, Gallagher Student Center sits between the residential and academic malls of the campus. The architectural style fuses Collegiate Gothic with the more contemporary 1950s and 1960s grace of neighboring buildings. The Center, often referred to as the "campus living room," is organized into three overlapping components, which are all organized around a four-story atrium.

  • The office component serves administrative staff, student organizations, and the bookstore.
  • The social component includes lounges, retail, entertainment, and foodservice.
  • The performing-arts component contains a scene shop, rehearsal space, and a 350-seat theater.