by Concordia College students in History 112HU, Fall 2016
Knutson Campus Center
The history of Concordia College shares the reputation as an institution rooted in adaptability; the architecture of the campus is a clear reminder of the roles that various structures have contributed. A notable structure is the Knutson Campus Center, which has become a hub for students and reflects the changing goals of the campus. Contributing to the changes of Concordia's campus over time are the styles of various presidents. In the events of the Knutson Campus Center, the structure honors the time that President Joseph Knutson served at Concordia during the 1960s. In recent years, the Knutson Campus Center has differed in the ways in which Concordia aims to be engaged in the world, as the architecture has changed drastically. In recent years, the goal of sustainability and community with an emphasis on nature has become a core concept of Concordia College.
In the 1960s, the Cobber Commons served as a student union and small dining center. In 1975, it was remodeled and renamed the Knutson Campus Center; the name was changed to honor President Joseph Knutson, who served as president from 1951-1975. The remodeling of 1975 was funded by the C-400 Club and cost one and a half million dollars to build the Centrum, post office, information center, snack bar, and lounge areas.[1] Over the years, Concordia has grown in terms of population, and the Knutson Campus center has been renovated along the way. During the presidency of Pamela Jolicoeur from 2004-2010 the most extensive renovations were made to Knutson Commons. The renovation of 2008 allowed for a 63,000 square foot addition that would, as according to Mike Nowatzki of the Fargo Forum, “consolidate the campus food service for one location and replace the old kitchen in the basement of Knutson center/centrum.” [2] The multiple additions to the Knutson Campus Center reflect the ways in which Concordia College has grown, however the Presidency of Joseph Knutson connects to the social aspects of the 1960s and allows for a better understanding of dynamism on Concordia's campus.
Referencing to the name change of Knutson Campus Center, it is important to analyze the events of the 1960s on the campus of Concordia College. The 1960s was a turbulent period of change for the United States; the atmosphere of Concordia College reflected this attitude as well. Under the presidency of Joseph Knutson, the students of Concordia College often fought for their voice to be heard[3].
The differences that are apparent between the Cobber Commons of 1960s and Knutson Campus Center of 2016 is the approach towards a sustainable outlook with attention to nature. For instance, the windows on the perimeter are wider, as compared to older, narrow slits. The wider construction of the windows allows more natural light inside the facility to open the interior. Similarly, the space of the building is wide and comfortable and designed with earth tones. This is apparent in soft white walls and chairs scattered in the lounge area that are brown and green. This harkens back to the natural tones of nature and creates a welcoming environment. Additionally, the building makes use of natural material as exposed beams can be seen inside of Anderson Commons as similarly there are wood accents throughout. By utilizing natural materials, an individual feels centered within the environment, and is encouraged to make conscious choices within the context of sustainability. Towards an emphasis of sustainability, there are various efforts to make careful decisions, such as sorting one's garbage. Throughout the facility, there is an assortment of garbage cans that allow for an individual to divide up their waste between trash, recyclables, and pulper. By providing this service, it faces the student with a conscious decision of how their actions can impact the Earth. To promote a healthy lifestyle and an alternative mode of transportation, outside of the Knutson Campus Center, are rows of bike racks. As well as the bike share program. This promotes possibilities for a healthy form of transportation and strengthens Concordia's mission to become a sustainable campus, as students are given many options to make smarter and active decisions. Contributing to the architectural efforts of the Knutson Campus Center to provide choices for sustainability and a facility centered on the calming effects of nature, the architectural feats of the Campus Center also provide emphasis toward community.
The sense of community is apparent in Knutson Campus Center as well. For instance, the renovated Anderson Commons of 2008 allows for a mass number of students to dine together at one time. This adds to the outlook of students having the ability to associate with each other in various locations throughout campus. In the lobby area of the Knutson Campus Center, there are usually tables set up with fellow students to talk about different issues and organizations to promote a sense of involvement and connection to others. By providing students with this ability to connect, it allows for a larger enrollment into various organizations and awareness for different issues that play a vital role in world of today. The sense of community is also strongly promoted in the various lounge areas where students can take the time to discuss with one another, or to work on homework. The Knutson Campus Center is a one stop shop for many amenities and it is a common space for students to socialize and study, as it offers a strong sense of community. This can be viewed from the juxtaposed images.
The drastic changes of the Knutson Campus Center can be viewed by the juxtaposed images above. The photograph captures the east side of the building. In the image from the 1960s, the common area that nears the tables and chairs are broken up by the staircase. Additionally, portions of the wall are painted a sickly hue of yellow, with a wide expanse of light trickling in from the skylight above. There is also an exposed hallway in the background that allows for easy viewing of those who pass by. The photograph of the 1960s doesn't capture the addition, as to the right of the depicted area of the building, is where the Centrum now stands. In the changes over time, the picture taken of the Knutson Commons of today captures the feel of an environment centered on nature, as this is apparent by the wooden panels that are set up behind the rows of tables in chairs. Additionally, more light would stream into the building from the wider construction of the current windows, thus allowing more exposure to natural light. The space is now more centered on community in the way that there is expanded seating with multiple sets of tables and chairs, allowing for more students to sit there at a time. Additionally, more lounge areas are now positioned nearby. Though this one particular area allows for one to take note of the changes of the Knutson Campus Center, the facility as whole has undertaken a major transformation.
The Knutson Campus Center, as it stands today has become a hub for Concordia students. It provides a wide amount of facilities such as the Anderson Dining Center, the Post Office, The Maize, The Centrum, The Korn Krib, Career Center, and areas for lounging. In conjunction with the wide amount of facilities, the Knutson Campus Center made strides towards a sustainable environment with an emphasis on community based upon the architectural designs of the facility. This is can be seen by the differences of the rephotography, in which invites extended use of natural materials and areas for students to socialize and work on homework. In this way, it stands for the message that Concordia College of today aims to communicate.
By Kaitlin Molden
[1] “Two New Facilities,” The Sunday Forum of Fargo, September 7, 1975, Topical Files Collection, Concordia College Archives.
[2] Mike Nowatzki, “Student Center Work Begins,” Fargo Forum, Topical Files Collection, Concordia College Archives.
[3] Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded (Moorhead, Minnesota: Concordia College, 1999), 270-289.