CNU opens, names 116,000-square-foot student union

News Release - Sept. 12, 2006

Media Contact:
Carolyn Cuthrell
Office of Communications and Public Relations
(757) 594--7331

(NEWPORT NEWS, Va.) — Christopher Newport University officially opened its impressive 116,000-square-foot, three-story student union on Sept. 9 during the University’s annual Family Weekend when students' parents and families are invited to campus for special activities.

In a morning address to families and other members of the CNU community, President Paul Trible announced the naming of the David Student Union in honor of William R. and Goldie R. David. “Helping CNU create a student union that encourages happy gatherings enveloped in a spirit of mutual support and community was a fitting way to remember our parents and grandparents,” said Edward D. “Buddy” David, the son of William R. and Goldie R. David. “The naming of our student union gives us the opportunity to say thanks to Buddy and Libby David and their families – the Davids and Blechmans – who, through their leadership and generosity, have had a dramatic impact on this University for nearly two decades,” Trible said. “Just as they created a warm and welcoming environment in their home, it’s our hope that the David Student Union will be a place where our students will gather and engage and forge friendships that will last a lifetime,” he said. Buddy David shaped CNU’s Educational and Real Estate Foundations. For more than a decade, he led the organizations and made them dynamic and entrepreneurial partners with the University that played decisive roles in CNU’s development and success. His wife, Libby Blechman David, and her family established the Franklin O. Blechman Memorial Trust, which provides scholarships in the names of Franklin and Marie Blechman for worthy and meritorious CNU students. This annual scholarship encourages students to complete the Master of Arts in Teaching degree at CNU and then teach in the Newport News Public School System.

Student Union front: The new David Student Union at CNU is constructed in the Neo-Georgian style, as are the University's other recently constructed buildings. Photo copyright by Ian Bradshaw. Student Union staircase: The grand staircase of the David Student Union leads to the upper floors that include meeting and office spaces and a grand ballroom. Photo copyright by Ian Bradshaw.

The David Student Union, which opened this fall to students, has become the meeting place for the University, a destination point for visitors and a “one-stop shop” for students.  It includes:

• Formal and informal dining options
• Two-story bookstore
• Full-service post office
• Digital color copy center
• Grand ballroom
• Meeting and conference rooms
• Student organization offices and the student newspaper
• Offices for career development, multicultural affairs, international studies and academic advising
• Game and TV rooms
• Study areas
• Computer terminals and wireless Internet connection

Designed by DMJM Architects and Engineers, Arlington, Va., and built by W.M. Jordan Company, the David Student Union follows the Neo-Georgian style of architecture adopted in recent years for CNU’s newly constructed residence halls and new library that will open in 2007.

The David Student Union features a dramatic three-story atrium that forms a “main street” through the center of the building around which all activities are organized and also connects to the surrounding residence halls and the new library. The building features a grand staircase, cherry woodwork throughout, terrazzo and marble floors, and unique sun-diffusing skylights.

The project cost more than $36 million, which was raised through the issuance of bonds, according to William Brauer, executive vice president of CNU. No state funds were used for construction, he said.