History of the University Student Union
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On November 11, 1968, the University Student Union opened on the Fresno State campus. It required a third referendum for students to assess themselves $8 a semester for the student union construction.
The director was Earl Whitfield, student body president in 1960. After graduation he entered the insurance field, but was called back to the university to serve as an assistant general manager. It became his responsibility to build the student union.
The original $1.2 million student union was 55,000 sq. ft. It housed The Daily Collegian and the Alumni Office. Where the University Student Union Snack Bar stands today, there was a barber shop and The Coffee Shop. The Coffee Shop provided a full dinner menu featuring lobster and steak.
Concert production was big. Fresno State hosted country singer John Denver and Tower of Power. When Whitney Houston brought her tour to campus, Fresno State production crew members signed on and went on the road with the entertainer. The amphitheater was a sellout twice when comedian Steve Martin came to town.
Vintage Days began with the vision of Gary Bongiovanni, who now is the Editor-in Chief of Pollstar – The Concert Hotwire.