The Florida Union, the present south wing of Dauer Hall, was completed in 1936. The funding drive was spearheaded by orator William Jennings Bryan, cousin of Board of Control Chair Nathan Bryan, with major contributions from the YMCA. The Union served as student center for “the boys from Old Florida” until completion of the Hub in 1950. Significant features include a Tudor chimney and bay window with universal and Florida regional symbols in stained glass, completed in 1938 by D'Ascengo Studios of Philadelphia. The Keene Faculty Center in the west wing now hosts small lectures and provides a reading room for faculty. Adjacent to this wing was the 1922 Johnson Hall Commons and Rathskeller, destroyed by fire in 1987.
3-1/2 stories
L shaped with projecting end blocks
Gable with flat parapet
In bays adjacent to projecting ends
6 over 6 light
Double hung
Paired or individual
Brick is English bond
Soldier courses over windows
Copper downspouts with square brackets and conductor heads
Cast stone entrance surrounds with pointed arches
Cast stone lintels, sills and quoins
Water table is half round with bulging torus
Flat variegated clay tile with "bump" ridge tiles
Keene Faculty Center
Set back from street and plan shape defines a small rear courtyard
Architect: Rudolph Weaver
Building Name: Manning Dauer, Jr., established the Political Science Department
