On Sept. 24, excitement buzzed as students, faculty and community members gathered for the unveiling of five new statues in the statue garden.
The unveiling was hosted on Constitution Day and during Dixie Days, celebrations that follow freedom, courage and leadership — these values reflected in the figures honored in the garden.
Utah Tech University presented five new statues near the College of Education building, featuring statues of:
- George Washington
- Benjamin Franklin
- Albert Einstein
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Abraham Lincoln.
Each statue was donated to the university by people in the community: Daryl C. Kelly, Steve Zolman, David Lee, Stephen Bos, Andrew Ball and K.C. and Nancy Ericksen. The garden was created in partnership with the city of St. George.
There were remarks from President Smeed, Michele Randall (St. George Mayor), Victor Iverson (Washington County commissioner) and Jeff Jarvis (dean of the College of Arts).
The garden was designed to honor heroes who devoted their lives to learning, freedom and expanding knowledge, said Brad Last, Utah Tech vice president of advancement and development, who welcomed everyone to the ceremony.
“The next time you’re on campus, make this garden a part of your visit,” Jarvis said.
This community gift creates a space where students and visitors can connect with the leaders who shaped history, leaving a legacy for generations to come.
The garden is considered a living classroom, a place for students to study or talk with friends. Rather than walking the hallways or being in the classrooms to learn, students are able to take time outside and reflect on the statues before them — to think of the people who came before them and the history they made.
“May this garden inspire us all to live with curiosity, compassion and courage,” Randall said.
Students and faculty are appreciating the addition of the statues to campus.
“With my office being right here, I’ve come through this area. We used to have events here before the statues were put up, so it’s good to be able to find a place to put them [statues],” Mikey Nelson, director of student belonging, said.
The event highlighted the changes that are being made to campus and gave students the opportunity to see the physical changes that are happening — changes that aren’t just new buildings.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without so many community members, so it is really good to bring attention to it and let students know they have so many people in their corner,” Jyl Hall, director of public relations, said.
St. George is often recognized for sightseeing, and now a piece of that scenery has been brought to campus.
The university also has a Statue of Liberty replica. The statue is currently being loaned from the organization Liberty Village and will be put in front of the old courthouse for the public to visit.
