The Arkansas State University Reng Student Union has once again gained national recognition. The union ranked 47 among 51 schools as most phenomenal student unions in the nation.

EDsmart, the site that gave A-State the ranking, is a site dedicated to offering advice and presenting compelling data to students, professors and researcher, according to their website.

Construction of the current Reng Student Union at A-State began in 2000 and opened four years later. Since then, the Student Union has featured many student facilities such as an auditorium, computer labs and multiple study areas spread over three floors.

According to students, some highlighted features of the Union would be that it has provided an excellent learning environment as well as social experience for both the students and staff on campus.

It also has provided a wide range of services for students such as a post office and ATM, to a large food court with over six different dining options available along with the Acansa Dining Hall.

Other services that are provided to students include things such as a career management center and counseling center.

Students have been able to utilize the Union as a common meeting area, whether to have a quiet place to study or to grab something to eat.

Campus organizations and clubs have also been allowed to use different rooms in the upstairs of the union to promote their organizations, hold organizational meetings, or conduct parties and celebrations. Career fairs, talent shows and banquets have been held in the upstairs auditorium.

Senior general biology major Dale Bennett of Williford, Ark, said, “The student union is a common hangout spot for my friends and me. If we can’t go to each other’s dorms, we can always hang out in the union, preferably getting a bite to eat in the Café or a coffee at Starbucks.”

Campus Outreach, a ministry on campus, has greatly appreciated being able to use the Union for so many of the activities their ministry provides for students. Sir Gregory Thorton, a staff member of Campus Outreach, said, “our job is to be able to meet students and interact with them. The union provides a perfect place for us to do so.”

Because it has provided such a wide variety of things to do, the Union has remained a popular place most students pass through on a daily basis to grab a coffee or chat with a friend before class.

Junior history major Anna Elliot of Benton, Ark., said, “The student union is an easy place for all of us to get together and is a main meeting point. We have fun relaxing and talking in the lounges.”