The Atterbury Student Success Center

The Atterbury Student Success Center is named for Alan Atterbury, a long-time supporter of the university and founding chair of the UMKC Foundation. The center is the result of a $6 million remodel of the existing University Center, which combined a number of student services previously scattered in different locations around campus. The building's history stretches back to 1959, when the University of Kansas City took out a $1 Million loan from the federal government to build a new student union for its growing population. The University Center, completed in 1961, brought a modern campus dining facility to campus along with offices, lounges and study space. In 1961, Pierson Auditorium was added to the building, creating a concert and event space.

The origins of the Atterbury Student Success Center begin in 1959 at a time when the University of Kansas City faced a dilemma. It was struggling financially, a fact which would lead to the University of Kansas City joining the University of Missouri System in 1963. In recent years, its enrollment had grown to over 3000 students. However, its existing infrastructure was originally built for a student population of 1000. To relieve some of the pressure and make campus life more comfortable for students, the university borrowed $1 Million from the federal government to create a modern student union for the Volker Campus.

Construction on the University Center began in 1959 and the building was dedicated on September 29, 1961. It was placed at the point where Holmes road entered campus from the north. Holmes was rerouted around the building. The three-story building vastly increased student study and recreation space on campus. The lower level The Osage Room, a modern campus dining facility, replaced the tiny cafeteria in Haag Hall. A small cafe served by vending machines called the Pouch provided a space for socializing and live music. The University Barber Shop in the basement brought a major convenience to campus. The center also included offices, conference rooms, study space and lounges.

When funding for a planned auditorium attached to the University Center ran out, Elmer Pierson, an alumnus of the university's law school and a member of the university's board of trustees, donated the money for its construction. The auditorium is named Pierson Auditorium in his honor. Pierson commissioned an original artwork to hang in front of the entrance to the auditorium from alumnus Hank Scott. Hank's father, Henry Scott was the long-time chair of the university's art department. Hank created a 6'X15' mosaic out of more than 70,000 pieces of venetian glass at his home in Martha's Vineyard. The piece, an abstract piece of modern art, was unveiled for Pierson Auditorium's dedication on October 29, 1961.

Pierson Auditorium was the university's main concert and event space before the construction of the Swinney Recreation Center. It originally provided a performance space to UMKC's Conservatory and the Kansas City Symphony. The university sponsored many concerts over the years with famous artists of the 60s and 70s such as the Jimmy Dorsey Band, Herbie Mann, Nina Simone, Count Basie and the Smothers Brothers all performing there. Countless artists, writers and thinkers have spoken in Pierson Auditorium including Kurt Vonnegut, Muhammad Ali, Rod Serling, John Updike, Buckminster Fuller, Ken Kesey, and Maya Angelou just to name a few.

In 1987, the west wing of the building was renovated as part of the expansion of the Swinney Recreation Center. A concrete over hang was constructed to protect the walkway between the two buildings. At this time, Holmes road was removed and a pedestrian walkway created. A lobby was built onto the front of Pierson Auditorium and a conference room called the Chancellor's Dining Room was added. At this time, the university decided to cover up the Hank Scott mosaic. It is unclear whether it was destroyed or still exists behind the new interior wall. The university renovated the building again in 1990, and added an east wing for use by the UMKC Bookstore. In the early 2000s, the campus dining facilities were renovated and updated.

When the UMKC Bookstore moved in 2010 to the Student Union Building at 51st and Cherry, the university planned to renovate the University Center again and centralize many of the university's student support services all in one place. The building was named in honor of Alan Atterbury, a long time supporter of the university and the founding chairman of the UMKC Foundation, an independent, nonprofit organization that serves as the official fundraising organization for the university. Today services such as UMKC's Welcome Center, the Pal Program, International Student Affairs, and Academic Support and Mentoring can all be found here.

Williams, Mara Rose. "UMKC is set to open Student Success Center-University hopes to help students decide on their majors and to group services in one place." The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) July 26th, 2012.

Wolff, Christopher. A Pearl of Great Value: The History of UMKC, Kansas City’s University. Kansas City, Missouri. UMKC Alumni Association, 2016..

"A Student Hub Opens at K.C.U." Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) September 29th, 1961. .

Sanford, Robert K.. "Kaleidoscopic Mosaic at K.C.U.." Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) October 29th, 1961. .8F.

"New Bookstore to open in February; officials plan use of old building." The Unews (Kansas City, Mo.) August 26th, 1991. .

Green, Wanda Brooks. Atterbury Family Gives Gift in Support of the Campaign for UMKC, UMKC Today Archives. October 4th, 2012. Accessed October 4th, 2024. https://info.umkc.edu/news/atterbury-family-gives-gift-in-support-of-the-campaign-for-umkc/.