Open house commemorates Powers Hall Ballroom’s renovation
Jack Harkins was a little nervous when he asked his girlfriend Mary to the prom 53 years ago.
But when they danced at what is now known as the Powers Hall Ballroom — her golden dress floating across the floor — his nerves melted away.
“Sure, we were nervous,” Harkins said. “We were in high school (and) I had eyes for my girlfriend, but it was the thing to do in those times.”
From taking elementary school classes in the ballroom to graduating with his master’s in 1965, the 71-year-old Mount Pleasant resident practically grew up on Central Michigan University’s campus.
Harkins is still involved with campus projects, but because of all the ballroom memories that swim in his mind, he said had to come back for a special occasion. On Friday afternoon, about 200 students, alumni, faculty and staff joined him to celebrate the newly restored Powers ballroom.
Built in 1939, the ballroom hosted a number of formal affairs from the 1940s through the 1950s when it was known before as Keeler Union, according to CMU’s website.
In 1961, the music program moved into the building after the student union was transferred to Bovee University Center. Powers Hall is now home to the history department as well as the leadership and honors programs.
Pamela Gates, interim dean of the College of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, said the restoration of the ballroom came at a cost of about $100,000, slightly less than what was originally expected.
“The reason we came in under (is because) the work was done in house by Facilities Management,” she said.
She said if they contracted the work out the restoration would have been much more expensive.
The ballroom was completed in less than a year.
James Hill, political science professor and former honors program director, led the initial design of the ballroom and said the finished project came a long way.
“At that time, what we lacked at CMU was an event space other than the UC,” Hill said. “The UC was always booked with activities and other groups so we could never find the space when we needed it.”
Hill said the room’s diagram was developed by an honors student completing her senior project.
“She developed the floor and carpeting colors,” Hill said. “It all worked out. The only problem is that we didn’t have a room.”
After money was transferred and contributed to rebuilding the ballroom, they were able to obtain and fix it.
Hill said the room was meant to look classy and not institutional.
“We wanted something everyone would go into and say ‘Wow this is really nice,’” he said.
