Created in 2009, the M.J. Riggs Award recognizes those individuals or organizations whose contributions have had an impact upon a specific area, department, unit or goal of the Memorial Union. It is named for Morris John Riggs, the first Board President of the Memorial Union Corporation, who served from 1920-1925. He was described as "a large man of seemingly boundless enthusiasm and energy." He saw a bigger vision of the memorial building that was to serve campus and convinced those on campus to take on the challenge of raising on million dollars in 1920!

Engraved words from MJ Riggs

M.J. Riggs Quote in the MU

In the west entrance on second floor, over the door to Room 2630 is a quotation from M.J. Riggs. He was an 1883 graduate who was president of the Alumni Association in the 1920s, and in charge of raising one million dollars for the Memorial Union project. He eventually became the first president of the Memorial Union Board, but died before the ground was ever broken.

His quote:

"We come to college not alone to prepare to make a living, but to learn to live a life."