New Richard Student Union at McNeese

McNeese State University recently opened the new Elizabeth and Leslie Richard Student Union offering students a modernized cafeteria, more collaboration spaces, a large event space and offices. 

“The Richard Student Union stands on the footprint of two historic campus facilities, Farrar Hall, built in 1968 and named after the first dean of McNeese Junior College, and Memorial Gymnasium, built in 1949, named to honor the students and faculty of the 1960s who were killed in war,” explained Dr. Kedrick Nicholas, interim president of McNeese. “While they both were significantly damaged by hurricanes Laura and Delta and were subsequently demolished, the memory and symbolism of those facilities will live on through the beauty that is presented behind us.” 

The ironworks on the outside of Memorial Gymnasium are displayed inside the union. 

According to Nicholas, the university’s financial position provided an opportunity for a seed contribution from surplus reserves along with an investment from the Leslie and Elizabeth Richard estate through the McNeese Foundation, to begin planning for a new student union. Then several administrations of the McNeese Student Government Association (SGA) worked to pass legislation to establish a student fee to help fund the project.  

“On behalf of everyone who will enjoy this facility, I am exceedingly grateful for the past institutional leadership, the Richard estate and the McNeese Foundation, and the students who voted yes to the future of McNeese knowing they wouldn’t see the building before they graduated,” Nicholas said. “This facility will provide students with the opportunity to grow and build memories through all the events and excitement that will occur in the new space. 

The Richard Student Union sits on the east side of the McNeese Quad and offers a direct link from the student parking garage to the center of campus. A wall of windows lets in natural light to the entire space.  

The cafeteria boasts additional food options and more seating. There is a salad and baked potato bar, a smoothie station, a grilling stone and a pizza oven. Students will find homestyle cooking, hamburgers and other grilled foods and a special diet section for those with food allergies. The seating is available for small groups and large groups, with some high-top tables. 

Lianne Montelibano, the SGA president and a Lake Charles senior, realizes she is making history.  

“It is one thing to learn about history in a textbook or a brochure, but it’s another thing to realize that you are literally standing here, a part of it,” said  Montelibano. “Four years ago, my peers and I parked our cars right here. Not metaphorically, the parking lot was literally right here. And today it’s a building that will host stressful study sessions, celebrations, breakthroughs and memories for McNeese students.” 

Offices in the Richard Student Union include the SGA, the dean of student support and advocacy, the director of student activities and the director of student engagement and leadership. 

The McNeese community will find plenty of space for collaborating, studying and meeting. Students can take advantage of the comfortable chairs and tables in the collaboration spaces and study rooms, all equipped with internet access and some with mounted screens. The ballroom is a large space that can be divided to accommodate large events or small meetings. 

“This building is not just new construction, but it is a reflection of growth, of progress and continuous investment in the students at McNeese State University. It represents the belief that students deserve spaces that inspire connection, collaboration and, most importantly, community,” Montelibano said.