More needed imporvements:


When the statue was constructed, it was reported that a lady had donated money specifically for the purpose of erecting that statue. The truth later came to light.
According to STTTS sources, the money was given for undesignated campus improvements. The idea of the statue originated with the (then) president's wife, who "prompted" the donor that this statue would be a good idea..


However, many other improvements were needed more badly at that time.


One such needed improvement was a theater. Coggin Theater had just been demolished for structural reasons. The drama productions were being held at a location far off campus (near the rodeo arena).

This condition existed for too long. If the money had been applied to the construction of a theater, construction could have begun much sooner. The theater could have been completed well prior to its actual completion date of fall 2002.

Some of the drama people protested in their own way.


Another improvement that could have been made was to remodel the dorms. In 1994, the first floor of Jennings Hall was renovated. (The first floor had previously been the student center.) A lobby, the pods, and the laundry room were added. The next year, the ground floor of Veda Hodge Hall was also renovated. (Veda had previously housed the cafeteria.) Several suites, a laundry facility, and a spacious lobby were added.

However, the top three floors of both buildings were left the way that they had been for years. Improvements to these facilities would have greatly improved the quality of life on campus. This fact is especially thought-provoking when one considers the (at that time) recently increased residency requirements.


Why the money was wasted on a useless statue that took up valuable parking, was opposed by students and alumni, and is ugly instead of more needed improvements, we can only speculate. The upper three floors of Jennings and Veda are not readily visible to alumni. Most alumni do not visit any parts of the dorms except the lobbies. Obviosly, the people in charge wantd the money to be spent on "visble" improvements. As to a much-needed theater, it must not have been a priority to them. Evidently having our drama depatrtment meet in a barn for three years was acceptable.



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