du Bois Center

Northern Arizona University opened the South Academic Center Student Union and South Dining in 1971. In 1985, NAU renamed the facility du Bois Center to honor philanthropist Alan Van Fleet du Bois, who created a forestry scholarship. In 1991, the university connected these two buildings.

The du Bois Center contains the DüB and other student dining options, as well as a conference center with meeting rooms and a ballroom. The Police Science department, now Criminal Justice, once occupied the basement, complete with crime lab and firing range. In fact, the outside sculpture known as 'The Benchmark' hid the range's venting system. Since 1975, NAU has hosted the Annual Holiday Dinner in the ballroom, where university choirs serenade guests while they enjoy fine cuisine.