CLARK STUDENT CENTER
History of the Clark Student Center
The student center was built in 1951 when Midwestern University had an enrollment of 1,206. It was appropriately named the
University Center. The new building housed the cafeteria, student lounges, a snack bar, a ballroom and administrative
offices.
In 1961 the University named the center in memory of C. H. Clark, one of the city's outstanding educators who had served on
the governing board for the institution between 1923-1940 while it was Wichita Falls Junior College. After his death in 1949,
his wife and son, Eugene B. Clark Sr., continued to devote their time and funds for the university's benefit.
Clark Student Center was originally constructed in 1951 and was remodeled and enlarged in 1964 at a cost of $650,000. It
provided 53,050 square feet of space for student recreation, food services, and offices. The cafeteria was one of the few
facilities in the city capable of serving approximately 1,000 people.
In addition to housing separate cafeteria and snack bar, the building provided space for meeting rooms, university bookstore,
game rooms, and barber shop. Offices for student government officers, student personnel, and placement service were also
located in the structure.
Over the years, as the Midwestern family of students grew, the student center was expanded and modified to meet the
changing needs of its students. In 1966, a bookstore was added as well as a faculty dining room, a game room, a card room
and a new southwest entry. The snack bar was relocated as part of a major modification of the building in 1976. The dining
room received a facelift and new kitchen equipment was installed as part of this renovation. In 1983, the game room was
converted to a theater and the lounges were modified to include a TV lounge.
As enrollment expanded, so did the need for more space in the student center. In 1985, the addition of an atrium lounge,
meeting rooms and a bookstore warehouse added 21,000 square feet to the building, nearly doubling the available space.
The ballroom was renovated in 1987 and the dining room and snack bar in 1989. The student center was comfortable and
highly used, but the piecemeal modifications over the years were evident in the haphazard layout of the building.
Students began to talk about inadequate space in some areas and the need to update and unify the student center. Surveys
showed that a larger game room was needed as well as more lounge space. Students wanted a food court, a computer lab, a
convenience store and a place for student organizations to work. The kitchen was in need of new equipment, and new
heating, cooling and sound systems were needed. In a student referendum held in December, 1993, a space allocation plan
prepared by Bundy, Young, Sims and Potter, Architects, for a $5.4 million renovation was approved. The students voted to
pay for it by assessing a $20 per semester student union fee. The design concept and renovation budget were approved by
the MSU Board of Regents in the spring of 1996.
Poteet, Inc. began construction in April 1997 and completed the project in December. The "new" student center is now 7,300
square feet larger than the old. The entire building was redesigned and renovated to include a large game room, a computer
lab, student organization offices and work space, a food court, a new dining room, new restrooms, a larger post office, a
bookstore, an information desk, several lounges, a theater, meeting rooms, a multi-cultural resource room and
administrative offices. Today's student center bears little resemblance to the 1951 building. It is truly a new building with
many things to offer our students, faculty, staff and guests.
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Roof Replacement
Floor Tile Rework
Carpet in Meeting Rooms and Offices
Reupholster Booth Seating in Food Court and Dining
Room
Replace ID Printer
WiFi Upgrade
A/V Equipment
Banquet Tables
Current Needs
2013/2014 Budget Request
Income
Student Center Fees
Rental/ Campus Card
Student Service Fees
Total Income
Expenses
Salaries
M&O
Travel
Utilities
Total Expenses
132,393
16,000
432,992
581,385
367,165
114,320
4,900
85,000
581,385
Dail Neely
Director of the Clark Student Center
(940) 397-6273
Dail.neely@mwsu.edu