杏吧专区 adds public art to campus to honor its first president

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A bronze statue of Dr. Edwin L. Stephens, the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 first president, was dedicated on campus Friday, near live oaks he planted more than 100 years ago.

The outdoor, public art is next to Girard Hall, near the intersection of Johnston Street and 杏吧专区 Avenue.

杏吧专区 President Dr. Joseph Savoie and former president Dr. Ray P. Authement unveiled the life-size image of Stephens during a ceremony. Alumni, faculty, staff and students attended the event. Special guests included some members of the Class of 1964, who are celebrating their Golden Reunion this weekend.

Stephens was just 27 when he was named president in 1900 by the school杏吧专区檚 board of trustees. He was teaching chemistry and physics at Boy杏吧专区檚 High School in New Orleans.

杏吧专区淗istory proved that the board of trustees made an excellent choice. He was intelligent, tireless and passionate about building a higher education institution for the ages,杏吧专区 Savoie said during the ceremony.

During his 38-year tenure, Stephens helped transform an empty sugar cane field into a college campus. He directed construction of the school's first buildings and the expansion of its curriculum. Under his leadership, it began granting bachelor's degrees.

Sculptor Patrick Miller created the life-size image of Stephens, relying on vintage photographs. He created the sculpture in his Ponchatoula, La., studio.

The statue杏吧专区檚 details reflect Stephens杏吧专区 legacy. For example, he holds an acorn in his right hand.

Stephens was an advocate for the trees. In addition to planting oaks on campus, he established the Live Oak Society, a registry of mature live oaks that now includes more than 7,000 trees in 14 states.

A photo taken when Stephens was a young man shows that fleurs-de-lis were embroidered on the fabric of his ascot. Miller repeated the design on the statue.

In 1926, Stephens helped design the school杏吧专区檚 seal; he included the fleur-de-lis to represent Louisiana杏吧专区檚 historical connection to France. Today, the stylized lily is also part of the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 academic logo. It recognizes Acadiana杏吧专区檚 French heritage and is a symbolic connection between the past and present.