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The Union of North Campus
The Union of North Campus
by Kate Chung
Flags and shops inside Pierpont Commons, March 22, 2023, by Kate Chung
Pierpont Commons is referred to as the Union of North Campus, and rightfully so (“Pierpont Commons”). The building offers many amenities to students, including a wide selection of dining options such as Fireside Cafe and Blue Market, places to sit and study with computers readily available, and stores for students to access any resource they might need, from textbooks (Barnes and Noble) to device support (U of M Tech Shop). With all these services offered, Pierpont Commons is a place that is meant to serve students, as it was envisioned during its construction. The structure was built in 1965 as part of the Northern expansion of the University of Michigan’s campus (“Wilbur K. Pierpont, Vice President Emeritus, Died Jan. 26 at Age 85”).
The structure was named after a prominent member in the U-M community, Wilber K. Pierpont. He served as both vice president and chief financial officer at U-M for 26 years, following his service in the U.S. Navy in World War II.
Photo of Wilbur Pierpont. Photo courtesy: University of Michigan Staff Memoirs & Memories
It was noted by the U-M regents that, during his tenure “the University experienced its most extensive period of growth in student enrollment and staff, in financial resources, and in the growth of its campus facilities” (“Wilbur K. Pierpont, Vice President"). After serving as vice president and CFO, Pierpont then returned to the faculty as an accounting professor in 1977 (“Wilbur K. Pierpont, Vice President”). Pierpont passed away on January 26, 2000 (“Wilbur K. Pierpont”).
This building was named in recognition of Pierpont’s efforts towards establishing the university’s North Campus and for the betterment of education at the University of Michigan. He not only negotiated for the purchase of the land where North Campus is located, but also oversaw large campus expansion programs (“Wilbur K. Pierpont, Vice President”). Pierpont also dedicated his years at the University of Michigan to aid students and actively solve their issues. President Lee Bollinger pointed out, “his compassion and concern for faculty, students, and staff” (“Wilbur K. Pierpont, Vice President”).
Pierpont Commons had also gone through construction in which the Commons Cafe was renovated to the now-standing Fireside Cafe in 2014 (Dillingham). While keeping most of the food vendors in the Commons Cafe, this change was one of the projects initiated by the school for campus improvement. This particular project, according to Building a Better Michigan, was meant to provide “students a venue to work with the University to guarantee that [...] tuition dollars are spent to satisfy [students’] needs” (Dillingham). Building a Better Michigan, a student-run campaign, was one of the main advocates that prompted the regents’ approval of this renovation of the site's dining experience (Dillingham).
The name Pierpont is an English name with Norman origins (“Pierpont Family History”). Pierpont has many spelling variations because Old and Middle English lacked foundational spelling rules “when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century” (“Pierpont Name Meaning”). The most common variation for the name is Pierrepont (“Pierpont Name”). Thus, in Old French, pierre meant “stone" and pont meant “bridge”, giving the meaning of the name Pierpont, or Pierrepont to “lives by the stone bridge” (“Pierpont”).
Pierpont Commons Entrance, March 22, 2023, by Kate Chung
Pierpont Commons is the first stop on the MBus from Central Campus to North Campus. It welcomes students to the University’s North Campus, which Pierpont has worked diligently to provide to the University’s students. Beautifully designed with many glass windows to allow natural lighting, this building is the place to visit for students' various needs: whether it be to fill an empty stomach, complete assignments, or even hang out with friends. Pierpont Commons serves students every single day, just like Wilbur Pierpont during his time at the University of Michigan.
Works Cited
Chung, Kate. Flags and shops inside Pierpont Commons. 22 Mar. 2023. Author’s personal collection.
Chung, Kate. Pierpont Commons Entrance. 22 Mar. 2023. Author’s
personal collection.
Dillingham, Ian. "Pierpont Commons to Close for Renovations." University Wire, Feb. 26, 2014. ProQuest, https://proxy.lib.umich.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/pierpont-commons-close-renovations/docview/1502228490/se-2.
Photo of Wilbur Pierpont. The University of Michigan Staff Memoirs and Memories, Jun. 1980, https://apps.lib.umich.edu/staff-memoir/apps.lib.umich.edu/staff-memoir/faculty/wilbur-k-pierpont.html. Accessed 6 April, 2023.
“Pierpont Commons.” Pierpont Commons | Campus Information, https://campusinfo.umich.edu/article/pierpont-commons.
“Pierpont Family History.” Pierpont Name Meaning & Pierpont Family History at Ancestry.com®, https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=pierpont#:~:text=Pierpont%20Family%20History-,Pierpont%20Name%20Meaning,'%20%2B%20pont%20'bridge'.
“Pierpont Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms.” HouseOfNames, 1 Jan. 2000, https://www.houseofnames.com/pierpont-family-crest.
“Pierpont.” SheKnows, 22 Aug. 2018, https://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/pierpont/.
“Wilbur K. Pierpont, Vice President Emeritus, Died Jan. 26 at Age 85.” University of Michigan News, 28 Jan. 2000, https://news.umich.edu/wilbur-k-pierpont-vice-president-emeritus-died-jan-26-at-age-85/.
“Wilbur K. Pierpont.” Prabook.com, https://prabook.com/web/wilbur_k.pierpont/672193.
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