Oumar SalifouAfter months of being shrouded by yellow construction tape and wooden barriers, The Presidents’ Circle monument was finally unveiled on Thursday.
Built to celebrate the University of Alberta Alumni Association’s 100th year, the Presidents’ Circle project was nearly a year in the making. At the centre of the monument stands The Visionaries, a larger-than-life statue of Alexander Rutherford and Henry Marshall Tory. Rutherford was the first Premier of Alberta, serving from 1905 to 1910. Tory was the University’s first President, holding the post from 1908-1928.
For Barbara Paterson, the artist behind The Visionaries, the unveiling marked the end of three years of work on the statue. An alumni herself, Paterson has two degrees from the Faculty of Fine Arts. Her signature bronze statuary can be seen across Canada, from the statue of Lois Hole in St. Albert to the “Famous Five” monuments on Parliament Hill and in Calgary’s Olympic Park. In a speech at the unveiling ceremony, Paterson thanked all those who helped her to complete the project, but one person stood out for her.
“I grew up in the shadow of the university,” Paterson said. “My mother vowed that all her children would attend the U of A, and I think she is looking down proudly now.”
Other dignitaries present included Edmonton-Rutherford MLA Richard Feehan, Alumni Association President Mary Pat Barry and U of A President David Turpin. Noted U of A alumnus David McLean, however, only revealed at the ceremony how involved he had been in the project.
McLean, whose wife Brenda is great-granddaughter to Alexander Rutherford, announced that his family had made a donation to the Presidents’ Circle in honour of his wife.
“It really helped out in completion of the project,” Mary Lou Reeleder, Alumni Association Director of Advanced Communications, said. “It was completely possible because of donations from alumni association and particularly Dr. McLean.”
The project, which had a set budget of $500,000 taken entirely from Alumni Association funds, came in on budget. This included the statue, as well as the surrounding benches and landscaping work. In addition, The Visionaries will become part of the University art collection, and will be managed by Museums and Collections.
In his speech, Turpin said he hoped the Presidents’ Circle would become somewhere to be inspired to continue the legacy of the university’s founders of uplifting the whole people.
“Over the coming year I expect that this new landmark will become a meeting place on campus,” Turpin said. “But most importantly, a place that will reinforce the history of the university and inspire future generations.”
The revealing of The Visionaries was the centerpiece of the U of A’s annual Alumni Weekend, which included the annual sock fight in Quad and Alumni Awards.
