Willow Bowl
The Willow Bowl is located at the southwest corner of campus. It has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful and iconic spots on the Wayne State College campus, named for the majestic willow trees lining the space. The outdoor amphitheater has seating for more than 2,000. It is used for a variety of activities including Wayne State College graduations, Shakespearean plays, weddings, and a host of student activities.
Rent/Reserve the Willow Bowl
To reserve the Willow Bowl for non-classroom activities, please contact:
WSC Student Activities Office
Student Center, Room 12
402-375-7322
[email protected]
History of the Willow Bowl
The area for the Willow Bowl dates back to the early 1900s. During the summer of 1918, after the United States had entered World War I, Wayne students and faculty planted the area as a large “victory garden,” selling produce to the campus dining hall and donating the proceeds to the war effort.
In 1935-1946, then President Dr. J.T. Anderson, with the aid of a Works in Progress Act (WPA) grant, launched the plan to create the Willow Bowl on campus. The Willow Bowl, completed in 1938, evolved from what was first the victory garden and then a campus lake, which from 1922 to 1924 allowed Wayne State students to ice skate in the winter and swim in the summer. Later, a cracked cement base ended these student activities.
The Willow Bowl was constructed using the broken cement from the pond and mortar to form the stage and seating of the amphitheater. From this modest beginning, the Willow Bowl became not just a landscape feature on campus, but according to alumni, a place central to their hearts and minds. It is an icon, a representation of the college that is unique and special.
Alumni frequently share stories about the Willow Bowl: spring commencement, marriage proposals, a rendezvous with someone, or just enjoying its beauty. It is one of the many reasons Wayne State College is known for its beautiful campus.
A dedication ceremony was held for the restored Willow Bowl in September 2013. The restoration and improvements of the historic Willow Bowl were made possible by the generosity of many alumni and friends.
Since its completion in 1938, Wayne State College has held commencement annually in the Willow Bowl, which continues to be a highly anticipated tradition for all Wayne State students receiving their diplomas, the crest of a long and fruitful academic journey.
