Kenna and Commons at 65; Mehling at 60

Three campus buildings share the same dedication date — November 22. Holy Cross Hall (now Kenna Hall) and University Commons (now Bauccio Commons) were dedicated together in 1959. Mehling Hall followed five years later in 1964; providing sixty-five and sixty years (respectively) of services to student life at UP.

Below, select Fun Facts for the 3 anniversary buildings.

Bauccio Commons, 1959, 2010

Dedication: November 22, 1959
Location: west-southwest corner of campus. Building cost: $519,000; accommodating 900 diners (with a total capacity of 1,232). 2 fireplaces. Dance and Patio area on the ground floor, from dedication program. Renamed September 25, 2010 after extensive remodeling and expansion to double service capacity.

Fun Facts

• As an undergraduate Fedele Bauccio ’64 worked in the Commons washing pots, pans, and dishes. Of course, he complained about the food and thought he could do better. Which led to a successful career in the food service industry, and Mr. Bauccio’s sponsorship of the 2009-10 renovations.
• The Terrace Room Patio was adorned with an outdoor water feature decorative fountain.

Holy Cross (Kenna) Hall, 1959

Dedication: November 22, 1959
Location: southeast corner of campus. Building cost: $801,125; accommodating 218 students (all student rooms are doubles). Special Features: 200 person chapel, with dedicated typing, TV, and game lounges, from dedication program. Renamed for Rev. Howard Kenna, CSC, the 14th President of the University, November 16, 1973.

Fun Facts

• Residence for Men 1959-84; 1987-88.
• Residence for Women 1984-87; 2012-(cont).
• Second Coeducational Residence Hall, 1988-2012.
• Headquarters of Air Force ROTC Detachment, 695, 1976 and current
• The Sauna room feature was decommissioned in 2018.

Mehling Hall, 1964

Dedication: November 22, 1964
Location: campus west edge, river-view. Building cost: not given in program; accommodating 367 students; an 8 floor residence hall with two-high speed elevators, a grand foyer, and a television lounge with color television. Named for Rev. Theodore J. Mehling, CSC, the 12th President of the University.

Fun Facts

• Entertainer Jack Benny performed for students in Mehling’s lounge the week before the building was officially dedicated.
• The stainless steel and enamel sculpture of branches and leaves fronting the entryway represents the Tree of Life. Lee and John Kelly, Bonnie Bronson, artists.
• Mehling features the very first elevators in any campus building.
• Our Lady of Holy Cross Chapel was not dedicated until May 19, 2006.

PortLog post about Mehling Hall’s 50th

Photos and more information about campus buildings past and present
Digital Buildings Collection at Clark Library