175th Anniversary | Campus and Community

The Mount Union campus is one of the most influential selling points to prospective students, and one of the most memorable aspects of the experience that alumni carry with them well beyond the time they graduate. The campus has undergone some drastic changes in the past 175 years, to say the least. As new construction and renovations constantly take place to keep Mount Union both architecturally beautiful and ahead of the times, the work done by the Physical Plant through the support of donors and friends never goes unnoticed.

Another important part of Mount Union's story is the Alliance community's influence on the campus, as well as Mount Union's impact on the Alliance and surrounding communities for the past 175 years. The "town/gown" relationship between the city of Alliance and Mount Union is one that has seldom wavered in the support of one another. Through local scholarships opportunities and community service initiatives, Mount Union has strived to help Alliance and its residents continue to be successful since Hartshorn first came to campus. In turn, the Alliance community is a significant factor in how Mount Union has thrived for 175 years, and will continue to beyond 2021.

Below are some images and stories that are reflective of the strong bond that ties Alliance and its neighboring communities to Mount Union. Share your favorite campus places or memories, as well as your stories and interactions with the Alliance and surrouding communities using the button below. Be sure to include any photos for the chance to be featured on the Mount Union social media channels!

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Alumni Stories

Kayla Aldan '12

During my senior year, I spent a lot of time in the vertebrate physiology lab on the third floor of Bracy studying, having Big Bang Theory marathons, and engaging in general shenanigans with my friends. One day, a few of us realized we wanted to make the room more comfortable (we were in there all the time after all). So Cali, Cameron, and I crossed the hall to the elevator and went down to the lobby. Plans couldn’t have gone smoother! Adjacent to the elevator door was one of the big, comfy, navy blue chairs. I held the door while Cali and Cameron ran out, grabbed it, and shuffled it into the elevator. When we got back to the third floor, I ran across the hall to hold open the lab door for Cali and Cameron to push the chair into the room. We put it where we wanted it and took turns sitting in it. Our professor thought it was hilarious, and it stayed there until after we all graduated.
Wilma (Levengood '15) Mullet

Fall 2014 of my senior year, I had an internship with ArtsinStark to plan the first Downtown Alliance arts festival called The Crossing. My goal was to connect students from Mount Union to come and participate at the festival and break a barrier that Mount Union students had about downtown Alliance. Planning the festival opened a major career door for me. Not only did a few student organizations participate and residence life provided a shuttle service for over 100 students, but it showed how important the arts play in communities - from increasing quality of life to downtown revitalization to individual creative expression. Planning this festival while attending Mount Union launched my career to pursue my master's in arts administration at the University of Akron and completing a two year thesis research on public art and economic development. I'm grateful that Mount Union has prepared me in my career pursuits and led me to my current career as the Executive Director of Tuscarawas Arts Partnership in my home community of Tuscarawas County.

Library Candid 1950's — 1 11

Students studying in the library in the 1950s.

Library Candid 1987 — 2 11

Students working in the library in 1987.

Nature Center Tour 1989 — 3 11

Local students recieving a tour at the Nature Center in 1989.

Dr. Kramer Fall 1991 — 4 11

Dr. Kramer holding lecture in the quad in 1991.

Fall Candid 1991 — 5 11

Students on the Lahres Bridge in 1991.

MUC Students at Alliance Elementary School — 6 11

Mount Union students at Alliance Elementary School in 2004

APO Brothers for Extreme Makeover — 7 11

Students being a part of Extreme Makover: My Hometown on campus in 2006.

Artfest in 2009 — 9 11

The 45th Annual Artfest.

Investment Alliance '14 — 10 11

The partnership between Mount Union and Alliance High School created a new program in 2014 called Investment Alliance.

MLK Day of Service 2014 — 11 11

Mount Union students participating in MLK Day of Service at the Alliance Community Pantry.

Campus and Community Story Archives

Winter 1993 Issue I 1997 Spring 1999

Issue II 2008 Winter 2014