A chilly April day sent the event indoors for speeches. Hundreds of people turned out to hear the speakers and watch the event.

 

Among the speakers was Sen. Bob Jauch, an alumnus who has been a strong supporter of the university over the years. The senator said students in the future will look back with gratitude on the generosity of today's students, who used part of their student fees to build the new student center.

Rep. Frank Boyle, a UW-Superior alumnus, praised students and the university for the fund-raising work done to help building the student center. "I challenge any campus in this state to do what you have done here," he said.

Chancellor Julius Erlenbach, fourth from left, and student representatives, including Buzz the Yellowjacket, prepare to break ground.

And dig! The first shovels full of soil are turned on the new student center.
 

Student body president Stefan Fletcher, who co-chaired the student center design committee, speaks to a television reporter about the project.

Chancellor Julius Erlenbach describes the student center site for a television reporter following the groundbreaking.

Alumnus Jim Steel, who as a student was instrumental in winning approval of the new student center project, attended the groundbreaking. Here he speaks with student body president Stefan Fletcher following the event.