Hilltopper Heritage

Building History - Downing University Center

Namesake - Dero G. Downing was born in Fountain Run, Kentucky on September 10, 1921. He received his AB degree in 1943, his MA degree in 1947 from Western and his Ed. S. degree from Peabody College in 1958. Downing received many honorary degrees during his career:

Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Kentucky Wesleyan, 1970
Honorary Doctor of Laws from Murray, 1972
Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Morehead, 1974
Honorary Doctor of Laws from Eastern, 1979

After he graduated from Western, he entered the US Navy. In 1946, he returned to Western and began teaching math as well as coaching basketball at the College High School. In 1956 he was named Director of the Training School. In 1959, he was named Registrar of the University and Dean of Admissions in 1962. In 1965 he became the Vice-President for Academic Affairs, in 1969 he was elected President of Western and served until 1979 whereupon he was named President Emeritus. He has also served as president of the College Heights Foundation. The International Center was named after him in 2002.

History - DUC is a 172,000 square foot, air-conditioned building. “The first floor will contain student shops, mechanical rooms and storage areas. The main floor will include a cafeteria seating about 500 persons, a grill accommodating about 560, a 750-seat theater and the main entrance lobby. On the third floor will be a university store, browsing library and reading room, offices of the Associated Students, music and television rooms, a rehearsal room, meeting rooms, and classrooms. Bowling lanes, billiards, table tennis and shuffleboard facilities provided on the fourth floor. ["University Center Bids Due in Sept.," Park City Daily News]

Additions - Fall 1997 - McDonald’s, Chik-fil-A, Freshens, Topper Café were added

1999 - renovations on 4th floor due to major storm in 1998, also entire building received new lighting, a dance floor with a sound system, an expanded outdoor eating area, and a huge arcade. This was the first major renovation since 1970 when the building was completed.

2003 - enclosed walkway around south end of DUC with brick and glass, expanded dinning space by 400 seats, added second floor space

2005 - construction of Student Success Center which includes Academic Advising Center, Career Services Center, and Students with Disabilities Services

See also - Cedar House and Garrett Conference Center

Sources -

Board of Regents Meetings - 1967 August 4
1968 September 21
1969 July 8
1982 April 24

College Heights Herald -
1968 September 19, p. 27
1969 March 20, p. 8
1970 October 10, p. 2; November 17, p. 1
1971 October 5, p. 4; October 16, p. 3B
1972 March 28 p. 1
1973 January 16, p. 1; January 19, p. 1, August 28, p. 15A
1974 August 27, p. 3A; October 1, p. 1
1975 August 26, p. 10B
1976 August 24, p. 11A
1977 February 11, p. 9; February 18, p. 6
1978 August 31, p. 12; October 12, p. 7
1979 February 20, p. 8
1981 October 13, p. 19
1984 October 16, p. 13
1985 August 27, p. 7B
1986 February 25, p. 11; October 14, p. 16
1987 February 5, p. 1; March 3, p. 5; September 1, p. 11; November 3, p. 7
1992 October 6, p. 1
1993 November 11, p. 1
1994 February 8, p. 8
1995 January 12, p. 12
1997 August 28, p. 6
1998 April 21 p. 1A; April 23, p. 1; September 1, p. 11
1999 February 4, p. 7; February 23, p. 8; April 13, pp. 1 & 5; August 31, p. 5
2000 January 13, p. 10; August 31, p. 3 October 31, p. 5
2001 November 15, p. 6

Vertical File - available in the Harrison-Baird Reading Room

Researched and written by Jenna Hawkins, 2008