VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY
Belgian Friendship Building

Belgian Friendship Building is an avant-garde architecture and displays masterpieces of sculptural relief on its external walls. It was originally designed by Hubert Van Kuyck for the country of Belgium and exhibited at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. During 1940, when Nazi occupation of Belgium made it impossible for the building to return, it was gifted to VUU and reconstructed on the campus in 1941.

The building itself was converted to house a gymnasium, Natural Sciences classrooms and laboratories, and the University Library. Vann Memorial Tower (the tallest portion of the Belgian Friendship Building) can be viewed from many parts of the city and bears distinction as a Virginia Historical Landmark. It was named after Robert L. Vann, an alumnus and founder of the Pittsburg Courier. William J. Clark Hall, named in honor of the third president of the University, is located in the south-wing of the Belgian Friendship Building and is the base of the tower. It originally housed the University Library from post World War II until January 1997. Currently it is the academic facility for the Fine Art Department and houses a newly renovated theatrical performance facility along with the Athletics Department and fitness center.

Barco-Stevens Gymnasium was originally part of the Belgian Friendship Building and later detached. The gym was officially designated as: Barco-Stevens Hall, in honor of Dr. John W. Barco, a graduate of the class of 1902 and VUU Vice-President from 1929-47; and Professor Wesley A. Stevens, teacher of mathematics and basketball/track coach. Seating just over 2,000 people, Barco-Stevens has been the home of two national men's basketball championship teams and a women's national championship team as well as the site of the 1980 NCAA Regional men's basketball championship.