A Welcome Center at the Heart of Campus within the Memorial Union
Often called the living room of campus, the Memorial Union is where the NDSU community comes together every day. It’s home to student organizations, university and public events, leadership development, and essential services that foster academic and personal success. Here, students connect, collaborate, and grow; faculty and staff pause for coffee and conversation; and visitors experience the warmth and pride of the Bison community.
NDSU is preparing for a renovation and possible expansion of the current Memorial Union. State legislators have already approved the project, and Student Government will bring a vote to students in February on a fee increase to support our fundraising efforts.
As part of this initiative, we envision a dedicated Welcome Center — a transformative experience that offers a memorable first impression of NDSU. If the Memorial Union is our living room, the Welcome Center would become our front door — a purposeful entry point that redefines the experience for prospective students and their families, current students, alumni, and friends of NDSU.
With thoughtfully designed spaces and features that encourage gathering, conversation, and discovery, the Welcome Center would be a hub of connection, storytelling, and pride — showcasing who we are and what we value.
Together, we have the chance to create a space that welcomes, orients, celebrates, and connects from the moment someone steps inside. A place that says: You belong here.
We will invite alumni to help bring this space to life through $25 million in philanthropic support. At this early stage, the Welcome Center concept presents an exciting opportunity to reimagine the entire visitor experience, from the first introduction to strengthening lasting connections across generations of Bison.
Your generosity and commitment have already played a meaningful role in enhancing the student experience at NDSU, and we hope you’ll lend your perspective as we develop this bold new vision and shape what the Welcome Center becomes.
We would love to hear your thoughts! To share your feedback or learn more, please contact Monique Anderson or Karin Hegstad.
Monique Anderson, Senior Vice President of Principal Gifts
NDSU Foundation
Monique.Anderson@NDSUFoundation.com
701.231.6131
Karin Hegstad, Associate Vice President for Finance & Administration
North Dakota State University
701.231.8422