Essence of Liberal Arts
Heidelberg has a time-honored tradition of class gifts that may be second to none. The 50th anniversary class of 1958’s reunion gift to the college – a stunning bronze sculpture that portrays the Essence of Liberal Arts – not only captures the class’s warm feelings about their alma mater but provides an aesthetic centerpiece at the crossroads of the campus that will remind students of the deeper meaning of their education.
During Alumni Weekend on June 21, the class dedicated the sculpture and officially presented it to the college. Dr. David Drake, who chaired the gift committee, said the class began its quest to raise funds for their reunion gift five years ago, and ultimately decided on the highly detailed sculpture, created by California artist Erik Blome. The sculpture, he said, creates a time capsule of their years at Heidelberg.
“It is a tribute to learning, and represents the best of what Heidelberg College was, is and will be,” Drake said. “It is an affirmation of our liberal arts education and adds beauty to the campus.”
Four 5-foot panels of the figurative art form collectively create a pyramid, with each depicting an important aspect of the liberal arts of the ‘50s: music, science, humanities and sports. “Elegant visual details interconnected by the various campus trees were sculpted into each of the four panels,” Drake explained. Atop the sculpture is a3-foot open pinnacle globe with the college’s motto, Religion and Education are the Safeguards of the Nation, engraved around the circumference. Interpretation of the globe’s symbolism is intentionally left to the imagination, but he suggested it could stand for open-mindedness or global expression of thought.
Drake said the class set out to create a visual representation that would transcend the test of time. “We want everyone to see the pride of a generation of Heidelbergers. We offer our gratitude to Heidelberg and to those who have made our experiences and opportunities so valuable,” he said.
In accepting the sculpture, President Dottavio assured Drake and his classmates that the sculpture will live on in the college’s history. “I am truly overwhelmed by what I see here today,” he told the class. “Current and future generations of students who pass by the sculpture every day will begin to understand the meaning of their education.”
The sculpture presents “a very powerful metaphor of what’s happening each and every day on this campus,” President Dottavio said. “This will clearly add to the educational experience of our students and remind them of the richness and complexity of their education.”
“This really wraps up our past, our present and our future. It adds to our educational resources and the aesthetic beauty of the campus.”
Class Statistics
- 154 students entered with the class of ’58 in 1954, and 114 graduated
- 49 of the 84 living graduates plus six non-graduates returned for the 50th reunion; 38 class members are deceased
- 68 class members contributed to the fund-raising effort for the sculpture
- Since their 45th reunion in 2003, members of the class of ’58 have contributed $2.3 million in gifts and pledges for all purposes.