In 1943, the University purchased the house at 82 University Avenue from Mrs. Amanda Miller for $10,000.00. Before this time, the house had been the home of the Kappa Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. The fraternity was unable to meet its financial obligations during World War II, so the building came into the possession of the University. The house was remodeled and renovated at a cost of $10,000.00 to serve as a mess hall for the 600 Navy V-12 trainees. It could seat 360 men. It was called the Navy V-12 Mess Hall. In 1945, after the war, it became the dining hall for men and was named the University Cafeteria.

The major source for the information on this page is the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Bucknell University, 1920-1950 (BT '20-'50) .