Originally two separate buildings that were constructed in the early 1950s, this campus center is the result of a 1983-84 renovation project funded by a $200,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation and gifts from other friends of the College.
The building serves as the home to the Student Life Office and other student-related offices. Student Congress, which represents more than 100 student organizations, is housed here. It also is the location for student-run radio station WQAC and the recently renovated Rotunda, an ideal student gathering place and study location.
Also located here are the Heather Room, a special events dining room; the Louanna Baker Jones Auditorium; the Kiltie Korner, a one-stop shopping source for sweatshirts, gifts, textbooks and school supplies; and Joe’s Place, a food service option provided by Sodexho Campus Services. Joe’s offers Starbuck’s coffee, fresh bakery items, a Freshens smoothie bar, pizza, sandwiches, burgers and salads.
The building was named in memory of Jerry Tyler and his family who were killed in a hotel fire in Chicago in 1946. Leon Tyler, Jerry’s father, was the head of Alma College’s Department of Education.
It also was named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Chares Van Dusen. Mr. Van Dusen was president of the S.S. Kresge Company.
The courtyard at the center of the Tyler-Van Dusen Campus Center is named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Beck and their family, whose leadership and support helped to make possible the facility’s remodeling.
