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A SALUTARY INFLUENCE the other a government-surplus structure in use for about a decade. After the infirmary committee in that month reported on the pressing need for a modern facility, the trustees authorized it to solicit the medical alumni for funds, which were not available for this purpose from the federal government. Since the results were most disappointing, the committee then considered converting Buehler Hall into an infirmary.114 Its conclusion was that, while a new building was definitely preferable, conversion of Buehler was a practical expedient. Surprisingly, the board elected the former over the latter, decided to locate the new structure on the south side of West Broadway, and authorized construction in June 1959. Work began during the summer and the infirmary was placed in service in the fall of 1960. The cost was $161,300. On June 2,1962 it was dedicated as the Sieber-Fisher Infirmary, in honor of one trustee (Paul R. Sieber) and in memory of another (Nelson E. Fisher). Their exertions had helped in a major way to make it a reality. Addressing the alumni in September 1956, less than six weeks after assuming office, the General declared that the College was changing "Hen Bream's Field House," which three years earlier had lost its top-priority position on the list of intended new buildings, into a "recreation center for the very simple reason that what we want is a Recreation Center," with bowling alleys, handball and squash courts, indoor track, gymnasium, swimming pool, and similar facilities. Since federal funds were available for this purpose, the board proceeded in June 1957 to choose a location, on the south side of West Lincoln avenue, and a year later, on June 16,1958, ground was broken for a building whose design and purpose were quite different from what the General had projected less than two years earlier. The main auditorium of the Student Union Building was sufficiently near completion, but only barely so, that it could be used for commencement in June 1959. The rest of the building was opened for student use unofficially in November and officially on December l.115 Costing $1,158,322, it was by far the most expensive building which the College had ever built. In 1974, in part at least because of the practice followed in other institutions, the name was changed to the College Union. The completion of seven new dormitories - from Hanson to Apple - in the 1950s provided accommodations for about nine hundred men and women students. As these buildings were occupied, the 114The house at 249 Carlisle street purchased in 1954 was promptly named in memory of former Trustee and Board Chairman Martin H. Buehler. 115An article titled "The Campus Hearthstone" appearing in the January 1960 GCB described and pictured the facilities available in the new structure. "So at last we have our home away from home," it concluded, "our center of communication for all." 84