Memorial Hall was built in 1950, with the purpose of becoming the Student Union and Lounge. It was constructed with a classic prairie style architecture, using limestone from the local quarries. The Board of Regents, at the time, named the building Memorial Hall to memorialize the men and women of Southeast Missouri State University who served in all branches of the United Stated Armed Forces, especially those who served in World War II.
Originally, Memorial Hall housed the School Museum, which is now the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum. Before being moved to the River Campus, in the fall of 2007, the museum was a huge cultural focal point of both Southeast Missouri State University and the Cape Girardeau community.
Today, Memorial Hall is the home of the School of University Studies, College of Liberal Arts, Information Technology Department, and the Math Lab. As of the fall of 2014, it also houses the Center for Writing Excellence, but more importantly, it still stands as a beacon of remembrance and honor for the many Veterans that have walked the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.