Photo by Christina VanHorn

The Memorial Union Building is the social pinnacle at UNH. Students can do their shopping, eating, gathering, mailing, copying, advertising, and studying all under one roof. Classes held in either of the MUB theaters get to enjoy plush seating, an awesome sound system, and now "E-Clicker" access like never before. Many students don't even think twice though about who is actually the one making the decisions to upgrade electronics, install carpet and add more comfortable furniture. Say hello to MaryAnne Lustgraaf, Director of the MUB.

Since August of 2001, Lustgraaf has overseen the expansion of leadership programs as well as the installation of wireless Internet making the MUB the first wireless building on campus. She has also upgraded technologies to improve student's experiences in the theaters and will continue to do so with more "facility changes" going on this summer.

When asked about what it's like being the director of such a huge part of every student's life, Lustgraaf said, "I have the best job on campus."

As the Director of the University of North Dakota's Union Building prior to coming to UNH, Lustgraaf knows the routine, but said, "The only time I get stressed out is when there's so much to do, that you want to do, but can't. Being too busy is not the problem."

Lustgraaf, the oldest of five children, was born and raised in Great Falls, Montana. While her mother, a music teacher, taught a class of one hundred, and her father held down a laboratory in Wisconsin as a Research Biochemist, Lustgraaf helped raise her younger siblings.

"I'm lucky to be from a line of outrageous women," she says. "My great grandmother, who lived during prohibition, had to bootleg in order to feed her ten children after her husband died of black lung. My grandmother sold health products out of her home in order to support her daughter and disabled husband after an accident weakened his heart."

"The best lesson I learned was that I'm responsible for my own fate," she said. "Life is tough, but it's not tragic, no matter what."

Lustgraaf, who said her aunt was a "Rosy the Riveter" that actually continued to build planes until her retirement in the 1970's, said, "It was good for me to see the possibilities were there. I grew up and saw that there were 'girl jobs' and there were 'boy jobs,' and you could tell me that was how it was, but I didn't believe it. I didn't see why that had to be the case."

When asked what her advice would be to students, Lustgraaf replied, "Go for what you want and believe in your passion." She also said to get involved and take advantage of everything offered in the MUB and in college.

"The Union is not just a building," she said, "it's services and programs."

As the woman in charge, Lustgraaf has to balance tasks such as remodeling the theaters before students come back from vacation, as well as managing the leadership programs and workshops, hosting meetings, planning the $4 million budget, mentoring some of her leadership students, all the while making sure student service departments, such as Granite Square Station, are maintaining business and keeping people satisfied.

Another reason why the MUB is not "just a building," says Lustgraaf, is because it is actually New Hampshire's war memorial for soldiers killed in action since World War I.

"Many universities built student centers in the early 50's as memorials after the war and in response to the many service men and women who entered college thanks to the GI Bill," she said. "We are unfortunately still updating our plaques. There is still the plaque from the original war department. The state doesn't even help pay for or maintain the memorial room, the Union does."

Lustgraaf, who has a daughter attending Mount Holy Oak University, said, "I love living with a no regrets policy. Hard work pays off and I've learned a lot from the women in my life."