The bronze statue represents the ambitions of Monmouth College students and the hopes for them by the alumni who have gone before them.
(PRWEB) October 26, 2015
Big Statues was very honored to be chosen for this project. The statue unveil was held on homecoming weekend, October 9-10, 2015, for Monmouth College, and the unveil itself took place just before the homecoming game kickoff. President Clarence R. Wyatt, president of Monmouth, was in attendance, along with many alumni, their families, and Sculptor Matt Glenn. The bagpiper band performed a great show, and the statue was well received by those in attendance and the students that walk the beautiful college campus. This has now become a destination spot for viewers all over. The statue is just outside of the Monmouth College football stadium for students and visitors to see. Big Statues was contacted by Monmouth last year, and worked closely with Jennifer Sandberg, a member of the student body projects committee.
Upon first impression, the statue is of a student bagpiper—a symbol of Monmouth traditions. On closer examination, the student is much more. He is depicted casually, although still in traditional, gentlemanly attire. With rolled-up sleeves and no formal coat or hat, a message of modernity, accessibility and applicability to all students—and across time—is reinforced.
"The bronze statue represents the ambitions of Monmouth College students and the hopes for them by the alumni who have gone before them." - Jennifer Sandberg
Facing south toward the academic halls of the college, and flanked by the library on his left, the piper symbolizes the college’s devotion to scholarly and artistic pursuits.
His distant gaze represents a contemplation of his future beyond Monmouth, while the stack of books upon which his foot rests represents the immediate task before him of mastering the various disciplines within the college curriculum. While he may be well along the path of finding his professional calling, he also considers the larger questions of a life of meaning.
Appreciating the value of the ideas represented in the books, the piper symbolically guards them that they may be preserved and their concepts expanded upon by future generations of students.
The college tartan on the kilt and college seal engraved on the sporran attest to the piper’s loyalty to Monmouth College.
Monmouth students, aspiring for both success in life and careers similar to many alumni who have come before them, may find good fortune by touching the right boot of the statue.
"Our heritage and traditions here at Monmouth College are very important to us. In 1853 we were founded by Scottish-Irish Presbyterian pioneers. We honor our founders through our award-winning bagpipe band and registered tartan. The statue is a symbol of our heritage, our dedication to our students and alumni, and our ability to prepare them for the world ahead. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Scots Spirit to our campus. After months of research we found Big Statues LLC and just loved the look and style of your work. There was a lot of back and forth about what the statue should look like, but we felt that the timeless look of a current student would always fit on our campus."
Those involved in the process were the Senior Class Gift Committee – representing the class of 2015 –, Steve Bloomer VP of Development and College Relations, Tim Keefauver VP of Strategic Initiatives and Information Systems, and Jennifer Sandberg.