Newnion- noun. Conjunction of "New" and "Union"

Walking onto campus I was struck with a realization. The large structure that I have been watching come to completion over the last two years is now complete. Though it may seem strange, this thought was hard to fathom. Two years ago, I returned from my semester abroad to find the center of Valpo's campus in shambles. There was a massive crater where a library once stood and the sidewalks that once led peaceably around it had been reduced to muddy paths of doom. It was a difficult transformation for this Lutheran academy to experience, but we all knew that it was necessary for the experience I am now having two years later.
On my walk to work that morning, I realized that the doors of this gorgeous newnion were now open to the public. No longer was I forced to don a hardhat in order to tour a hollow building. I could walk through it... I could experience it... I could personally behold the brand new Harre Union at Valparaiso University.
Being four times the size of its predecessor, the Harre Union is an expansive structure that is already opening a world of new opportunities for Valparaiso University students. There are a seemingly endless amount of study areas for students to relax with their afternoon mocha and Plato, "Kite Runner", or whatever they may be reading that day. There is a 24 hour lounge where students can escape from their roommates to study at any hour of the night. Not even frigid temperatures can keep students from an excellent study experience as there are hearth lounges scattered throughout the building. When it comes to spaces for academic study, Valpo equips the most (and least) studious of students with a new space and atmosphere to aid in their studies.
For those who like to rock out, we have a brand new ballroom on the second floor of our newnion. Spatially, the new ballroom has double the capacity of our old unions Great Hall. The space seats 1,000 students, ostriches, or whatever crazy mammal you would like to squeeze in there. (Actually, I don’t think they allow pets or exotic animals…I will do some research.) This will be plenty of space for Mae, Plain White T’s, Dashboard Confessional, Relient K, or whichever bands students decide to bring in the future.
My favorite part of the newnion is the brand new dining areas. All of our dining services have been finally centralized into one space. Students are now much more likely to randomly intercept their friends between classes as everyone is going to the same place. Yep, the newnion is where the action is. Students from the far corners of campus come to experience the hustle and bustle of activity that is in this new magnificent structure. Did I mention the food? We have hired a new chef to keep the food platters arrayed with a harmony of edible options. Seriously, it is good stuff. We have new pastas, meats, soups, and entrees, in addition to the same old patty melts that I enjoy so much. The newnion provides a dining extravaganza for the most scrupulous of tastes.
I hope any of you who read this will be sure to come visit and experience the new, Harre Union.