David Student Union honors William R. and Goldie R. David

Given the opportunity to name Christopher Newport University’s new student union building, Buddy David and his family chose to honor their parents, William R. and Goldie R. David.

“Helping CNU create a student union that encourages happy gatherings enveloped in a spirit of mutual support and community was a fitting way to remember our parents and grandparents,” said Edward D. “Buddy” David, a member of the law firm David, Kamp & Frank LLC and a former leader of CNU’s Educational and Real Estate Foundations.

“My brother, sister and I are the grandchildren of immigrants who cherished the opportunity this country gave them. We are children, and our children are the grandchildren, of hard working and honorable people. Our parents and heritage taught us not to take our good fortune for granted. We are thrilled that CNU afforded us an opportunity in some small measure to give back,” said Mr. David, expressing the sentiments of his family members, brother Marvin David, sister Sue David Kline, and their 10 collective children.

“We would hope that in the student union, CNU students would find camaraderie and make lasting friendships. The grandeur of the campus can hide the real success story of CNU. At this school, students gain the life skills they need to live productive, decent, moral and charitable lives. It is our hope that the student union will be a cog in accomplishing that objective.”

Mr. David and his wife, Libby Blechman David, have been longtime friends of Paul and Rosemary Trible, and have contributed immeasurably to the University and its students. Mr. David led CNU’s Educational and Real Estate Foundations to decisive roles in CNU’s development and success. Mrs. David and her family established the Franklin O. Blechman Memorial Trust, which provides annual scholarships that encourage students to teach in the Newport News Public Schools following completion of CNU’s Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

“The naming of our student union gives us the opportunity to say thanks to Buddy and Libby David and their families — the Davids and Blechmans — who, through their leadership and generosity, have had a dramatic impact on this University for nearly two decades,” said President Trible at the Sept. 9 dedication ceremony.

The Student Union Board

The Student Union Board was formed in April 2005 to serve in an advisory capacity during the transition into the new Student Union. Made up of 10 students and two faculty members, “the Board was designed to provide feedback and to keep the people who run and work in the building current on what student needs are,” said Kim Roeder, director of student activities.

One of its most important tasks was allocating the 35 available offices to CNU’s 72 student clubs and organizations. By instituting a fair and unbiased application process, the board was able to move 50 organizations into shared spaces. The board will continue to administer this process each year.

Members also met with Rosemary Trible, wife of President Paul Trible, to discuss color schemes, furniture, and fabric and expressed opinions on how the dining operation should be structured. Through their involvement, they’ve received valuable life lessons on how such a process works. “Any time you have a student group giving feedback, there is an opportunity for us to educate them on how a system works,” said Mrs. Roeder, describing how students realized they didn’t really need 24-hour dining because those hours would not allow for adequate cleaning.

“The students on the board are so connected on campus that they were able to go out to their constituent groups and get great input. They’ve been very helpful in trying to determine building hours and procedures and what to put in the student organization resource center,” Mrs. Roeder said.

Jeni Ramos, a member of the Board, was thrilled when the Student Union finally opened. “I think it’s changing the way student life occurs on campus,” she said.

“The building has so many more aspects of student life in it, not just a cafeteria and some couches. It has offices, people to talk to all the time, different game areas, your mail. It’s the heartbeat of the campus.”

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