History

The Indiana Memorial Union’s rich history dates back to the early twentieth century. In 1909, tensions between freshmen and sophomores and between fraternity members and unaffiliated students at Indiana University reached a breaking point, leading to physical altercations on campus. Dismayed by the uncivil campus climate, an IU student named John Whittenberger decided to form a student organization that would encourage unity and collegiality among students.

With the help of IU’s president, William Lowe Bryan, and members of the faculty—Whittenberger founded the Indiana Union on December 6, 1909. Whittenberger served as the first president of the organization, which had 15 charter members.

Since its construction nearly 85 years ago, the IMU has undergone several expansions, including the addition of a bowling alley and a food court. In 1960, the Biddle Hotel and Conference Center was added to foster personal and professional growth through conferences, workshops, and seminars. Named for the IMU’s first director, Ward Gray Biddle, it features 189 guest rooms and more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space.

Today the IMU has over 500,000 square feet of space and hosts more than 17,000 events each year. It brings together thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors who walk through its doors each year. Thanks to the visionary leadership of John Whittenberger more than a century ago, the IMU is more than just a student group or a building—it’s an essential part of the IU Bloomington experience.