The Thunderbird collections represent unique materials that document the rich 75 year history of the top schools for international business in the world. Thunderbird’s cultural heritage is an important part of the School’s brand and image and an important connection to students and alumni around the world. For this blog post I would like to highlight the history of the Thunderbird Pub!
The Thunderbird Pub opened in the Fall of 1971. At that time the school was surrounded by orchards and farmland, leaving few opportunities for students to enjoy recreational facilities. Students approached the School’s administration with the idea of establishing a place to socialize and consume alcoholic beverages. They proposed that the Pub be operated by students, as an opportunity to put their business education in practice. With the help of some string-pulling (thank you Senator Goldwater!) the School received its liquor license and the Pub was born.
It was not a fancy Pub, just a small room that annexed a WWII-era airplane hangar. What it lacked in visual appeal it made up for in ambiance and camaraderie.
In 2011 the Pub moved from the hangar to the Tower building. The Tower building was another WWII-era building, literally the control tower used to direct flight traffic for Army Air Force cadets training to be pilots. The Pub flourished in its new high-profile location.
In 2018, the School moved from the Glendale campus to downtown Phoenix. During that time the Pub became more of a roving, “pop-up Pub” wherever students and alumni decided to congregate, lacking the physical space but maintaining the Thunderbird “vibe” and mystique.
With the opening of the new Thunderbird Global Headquarters in 2021, the Thunderbird Pub has a permanent home on the fifth floor. Combining new design with elements of historic materials, the Pub should feel like home to new students and alumni alike.
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