“The Centerpiece of the Campus” was a phrase coined by Millersville University’s former president, Joseph A. Caputo, to describe the Biemesderfer Executive Center located on the University’s main campus.  The Biemesderfer Center was named after Daniel Luke Biemesderfer, who graduated from Millersville Normal School in 1917, and became the president of Millersville State Teachers College in 1943.  This building, which is currently the office of President Francine McNairy, is a favorite among many MU alumni and staff members.

Daniel Luke Biemesderfer, former University President.

Millersville University alumnus and volunteer campus tour guide, Dr. Richard Frerichs, decided to launch a booklet called, “Building Legacies.”  The booklet features archive photos of campus buildings along with a description of the person each building was named after.  Initially the booklet was only handed out to incoming freshman during their orientation, but starting this year transfer students will also receive a copy when they arrive at Millersville University.  Frerichs stated, “I believe students and alumni need to be aware of the legacy.  Part of the legacy is the name of the building.  They need to build on tradition.  The booklet will impact people because there will be a greater connection to the University.”

The current Biemesderfer boardroom on campus.

Frerichs’s favorite building is Biemesderfer, stating, “It used to be the library and then it became the Student Memorial Center (SMC).  We played sports in there.”
Frerichs revealed a bit of trivia about one building that did not appear in “Building Legacies”:  The Lyte Auditorium was named after E.O. Lyte, who composed the legendary song, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”
MU’s Archives & Special Collections preserve a history of the building and background information on the people that the buildings were named after.  Janet L. Dotterer, a Millersville University library technician, collected data and confirmed whether the information featured in the booklet was up-to-date due to several name changes in the past few years.
“Because of the wealth of information in the archives, we were asked to assist in this project.  It was very interesting to take part in this, knowing that it was going to benefit the incoming freshmen and help give them a better appreciation of our campus,” stated Dotterer.
Diane Black, a graphic artist and Millersville University alumna, who is currently part of MU’s communications and marketing department, offered her skills to produce “Building Legacies.”  Black received her B.A. in 1982 and her B.F.A. in 1984.  She went to college on the G.I. Bill.  Additionally, Black was in the Air Force from 1976 to 1980, and went on to work in the basement of Biemesderfer as a typesetter in 1987.
When asked which building was her favorite, Black replied, “Biemesderfer.  It’s architecturally more interesting.  If you stand in the middle of the building, it’s just incredible.  The wood working is the best part. The names of the buildings are names of people, not just a building.  These people were important in the history of the university,” stated Black, in reference to the title of the booklet.

Biemesderfer Center was previously used as the Student Memorial Center on campus. Students congregrated to the Center to shoot pool and play other sports.

Michelle Perez, associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Millersville University, helped finance the project and came up with the title of the booklet.
“Coming up with the name was the most fun, and being purposeful in designing how people are going to see it by its title.  It’s ‘Building Legacies;’ it’s two things.  It’s telling two messages.”
One of the places on campus where legacies are built is in the SMC.
“It really is the living energy of our student population,” stated Perez.  “When we talk about building traditions and we ask our student senate and our student leaders to think about building traditions or coming together with students, they talk about doing it at the SMC.  The Marauder statue is at the SMC, the club meetings are at the SMC, and The Snapper is at the SMC.  This is the place where the students can be students, aside from the classroom setting.  This is like the living laboratory where students get a chance to practice and make mistakes, have fun and laugh.  This is the place for that.”
Take a look at “Building Legacies.”  It may lead you to explore something old so that you can build something new.