Werner University Center History Snapshot
Explore a brief history of the Werner University Center!
The Student Center commons was 46,000 square feet and cost $830,000 to construct. The building was dedicated October 24th, 1960. Note that Monmouth Avenue at the bottom was still just a dirt road. At this time the school was called the Oregon College of Education (OCE) which was its official name from 1939 to 1980.
This picture was taken around where the current Multicultural Student Service and Programs Office resides. Pre-construction of the office, the area was called the Oregon Room. Notice the fireplace that still stands just outside the MSSP office.
The Pacific Room is pictured here, it doubled as the dining hall for residence hall students as well as the ballroom.
Student Lounge Area in the Student Center.
The OCE Bookstore where students could buy textbooks and school supplies. Notice the hat choices as well.
A newspaper article from The OCE Lamron detailing features of the new Student Center. Maple Hall served some functions of a Student Center until the Student Center was completed.
In 1972, the Student Center underwent its first major renovation. The name was changed to the “College Center” at that time. Pictured here are graduating seniors walking from the College Center to the Commencement ceremonies.
Students lounging outside the College Center.
Student government office area, with Todd Hall visible in the background.
Bookstore in the 1970s.
Coffee shop in the College Center.
Students attending an event in the Pacific Room.
The school was officially renamed to Western Oregon State College (WOSC) in 1981. Groundbreaking for the College Center’s second major remodel began June 11th, 1986 costing $620,000 to update the Bookstore and Social Center.
The center had an ice cream shop named The Cubby Hole.
Student studying in the center’s lower level lounge.
On May 31st, 1989, the College Center was renamed to the Werner College Center in honor of Neal W. Werner, the director who died in a motorcycle accident.
Diagram of Werner College Center prior to 1996 remodel, first floor.
WUC 2nd Floor Plans, prior to 1996.
In 1997, the school was once again renamed to Western Oregon University, the center’s name was also updated to the Werner University Center to reflect the change. Around this time construction began for a three phase remodel of the center, costing $8.54 million beginning 1996 and completing in 2000.
Pictured here is more construction on the WUC from 1996 to 2000.
Diagram of the Werner University Center post-remodel. The center had increased in size to 78,500 square feet. Pictured here is the first floor.
Pictured are the 2nd floor plans of the WUC post remodel.
In 2003, based upon student feedback, the Den was created where the games room once resided as a social area.
