 he major remodeling of Texas A&M's
Memorial Student Center (MSC) in the 1970's and again in the
1980's forever changed the appearance, function and ambiance of the
original building. Texas A&M was growing and new demands
were being made. Three and a half generations of Aggies,
however, remember the homey atmosphere and understated elegance of
the original MSC. Although the "C," as it came to
be know, was a busy beehive of activity for football games and
special activities, it was for the most part a peaceful retreat
from the cares and stress of college life. It was a quiet
place to study, relax, meet family and friends and have a cup of
coffee (unlimited refills) and doughnuts while arguing politics, copying
lecture notes or watching cartoons on a Saturday morning with a
roommate. The comfortable furniture along the front hall
facing the drill field invited one to sit down and rest, read or
talk. It was quite literally the "Living Room of the
Campus."
Who could ever forget an encounter in the MSC
post office with the indefatigable (Gig'em) Pickney L.
"Pinkie" Downs '06, Texas A&M's official
greeter? It seemed as if Pinkie was always there.
Before the days of phones in the dorm rooms, the "C" was
often the only direct link with the outside world of family and
sweethearts. The long line of phone booths down the narrow
hallway by the bowling alley was an oasis for homesick Fish
(freshmen) or a senior deftly describing the need for more money
while at the same time explaining how the fourth year of freshman
chemistry was not going well at all. most importantly, the
MSC was a lasting memorial to all those former students who had
lost their lives in the defense of our country. The list of
names in the main entrance bore testimony to the price of freedom
earned in a world war that was not so long ago.
The "C"
opened its doors for the first time in September of 1950
(dedicated April 21, 1951), replacing the YMCA as the center of
campus life.
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Early 1950s
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It was built at a cost of $1,656,000 by the R. W.
McKee Construction Company. At the time of construction, it
was the most stable building ever erected on the campus. For
the first time ever, there was a major effort to solve the soil
settlement problems that plagued the campus from the very first
days and have caused serious structural damage to such venerable
campus landmarks as the Academic Building, Guion Hall (razed in
1971) and the Cushing Memorial Library. The contemporary
design marked a significant departure from the classical forms of
earlier campus architecture. The brick and limestone
structure, surrounded by spacious lawns, set it apart.
The MSC was exceptionally spacious. There
were wide corridors and comfortable lounges. Contained within
the sprawling structure were three dining areas, a gift shop,
offices, meeting rooms, a post office, barber shop, bowling alley
and the offices of The Association of Former Students.
While later modifications forever changed the
inherent intimacy of the original "C," the building
lives on fondly in the memory of each succeeding class as they
make their own memories of their time at Texas A&M.
Music
Room - Early 1950s |
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