Rich Campus History in One Building
The Kirk Building hosted many important activities on campus, mostly in Kirk Gymnasium and the main hallway on the first floor known as Sociability Hall.
Sociability Hall
Before the Student Union Building, the large hallway on the first floor of the Kirk Building was known as the social hub of the university. Students would hang out, study, and eat in the attached lunch room.
Gym
Prior to the construction of the Pershing Building and Baldwin Hall Auditorium, Kirk Gym functioned as both an auditorium and gymnasium. Sporting events, theatre productions, student assemblies, annual meetings of the Northeast Missouri State Teachers Association, commencement programs, high school graduations, and college dances, operas, and band concerts were held there. Several inaugurations of the college president and the funerals of Presidents Emeriti Kirk and Fair took place in the gym. It also served as a barracks for members of the Air Force who were on campus for special education work during World War II.
