The YMCA Building Then Now and

The YMCA Building has stood on Mississippi State’s campus since 1914. The Young Men’s Christian Association first came to the university in 1882, but as membership grew, the need for a dedicated space became apparent. With a $40,000 pledge from John D. Rockefeller, MSU students led a fundraising campaign to build the YMCA Building. The building housed a post office, an auditorium, office spaces and a gathering space in the lobby that once hosted dances, holiday parties and study sessions. Today, the building is home to the Dean of Students, Vice President for Student Affairs, the Vice President for Finance, faculty for the College of Arts and Sciences and more. A $9.8 million renovation updated the 28,000-square-foot space in 2018, and more recently, was the addition of the new plaza in front of the building that provides a pedestrian-friendly gathering space for students and visitors enjoy.