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The Buildings of Central Michigan University

Bovee University Center

Opened October 9, 1960
Cost: $2.1 million

UC

The Student Center, later dedicated as the Bovee University Center, was built in 1960. Before it opened, Powers Hall served as the Student Union.

When it was first built, the University Center had many features that are gone now. The current lower level of the bookstore was a twelve-lane bowling alley with an adjoining game room. The building contained a TV lounge and a craft room on the ground floor as well. On the main level, one could find a browsing room with books and newspapers as well as a music room containing a piano. The information desk also served as a newsstand and as a tobacco shop. The Rotunda Room, which now serves as a conference room, housed a cafeteria known as "The Reservation" and two dining rooms. The building also housed a barber shop.

The Bovee University Center was dedicated on September 15, 1984 to the chief financial officer of the university from 1956 to 1970. Norvall C. Bovee was a member of Central's administration for thirty years, starting in 1940. He came to Central from Eastern Michigan College as the assistant director of Keeler Union (now Powers Hall), then served as its director in 1941. In 1946, he was appointed Business Manager. He spent the years 1948 to 1956 as the Controller, then became the university's first Vice President of Business and Finance in 1956, a position he held until his retirement in 1970.

Bovee was born in Salem, Michigan. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at Eastern Michigan and his Master of Arts at Michigan State. In 1960, he received an honorary PhD from Ashland College. In addition to his work with Central, Bovee was chairman of the State Board of Education Controller's Council and the State Colleges and Universities Business Officers. In 1956, he received the Lane Bryant Citation for Community Service, and he was named 1957's Outstanding Citizen of Mount Pleasant.