for
the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts
October
18 , 2002
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Minuteman takes post by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff
 he
Class of 1950 fulfilled its pledge to honor the veterans of World
War II last Saturday by unveiling a statue of a Minuteman on a knoll
near the Old Chapel.Amid driving rain, about 60 people attended the dedication of the statue. Chancellor John V. Lombardi said the sculpture by retired Art professor John Townsend will serve as an important link between generations of UMass students. "Every university looks for ways to recognize the past and look to its future," he said. "When students see this, they'll say 'These are people we want to emulate." Ed Struzziero, a member of the Class of 1950 Gift Committee, recounted the history of the statue, which he said was first raised in 1992. "We though it would be a great idea to put up a statue in honor of the men and women who fought in World War II." When the class gathered for its 45th reunion three years later, he said, the statue plan was revived and fund-raising began. Though the class missed its 50th reunion target date, the campaign continued until it reached its goal of about $100,000, he said. Struzzeiro praised sculptor John Townsend, a retired Art professor, for his work. "What a great job," he said. "We got more than we expected." Robert Goodhue, special to the president for Alumni Affairs, praised the Class of 1950 for persevering to fulfill its dream. "Their generosity to the University is insuring that their memory will be with us forever." Among those in attendance at the unveiling were former Chancellor David K. Scott, former Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Royster Hedgepeth, Sen. Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) and Alumni Association president Jess Kane. A contingent of the Minuteman Marching Band and a color guard from Army ROTC also participated. The statue is 114 1/2 inches tall and was cast by Paul King Foundry, in Johnston, R.I. It sits on a 45-inch base of gray Barre granite. The statue and base are positioned atop a concrete pad that is six feet deep and 90 inches by 84 inches. The pad was designed by Jason Venditti, Class of 1996, and an engineer at Facilities Planning. The site was selected by the Campus Planning Committee. |
