2008 Woodie Awards
Plaza, plaque honor UST supporter
Community, guests pay tribute during ceremony
Eric Elizondo
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Other News
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The plaza marks one of architect Philip Johnson's last designs before his death in January 2005.
"The monument was definitely desired and inspired by Philip Johnson," Ivany said. "It's a simple design but the best way to welcome people to campus."
Johnson designed the academic mall in the 1950s and the Chapel of St. Basil in the 1990s.
The black granite monument is meant to allude to the granite on the chapel and that the white granite plaza around the monument is made of the same material as the plaza in front of the chapel, according to a press release issued by UST's Office of Public Affairs.
The monument was dedicated to White who Ivany described as a benefactor to the University.
The monument includes a plaque designed by Louis Nelson. Nelson also designed the commemorative wall mural for the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.
Ivany said that Nelson used the same technique on White's plaque as he did on the Korean War Memorial, a type of sand-grit process in which images are etched into surfaces.
The monument and plaque really help give back to someone who had given a great deal to the University, according to Assistant Vice President of Facilities Operations Howard Rose.
"It is a wonderful piece, a wonderful gesture to a wonderful man and his wife, who have been wonderful friends to the University," Rose said.
Ivany said the essential idea behind the memorial was to, highlight the chapel at the corner of the two major cross streets where UST is located, so that people can identify the University.
John Hittinger, UST's vice president for academic affairs, said that Johnson used several features of the Chapel of St. Basil when he designed the plans for the memorial, in particular the design and positioning of the cross.
"Some say that it is symbolic of a cross waiting to be carried by Christians," Hittinger said.
Rose said the construction took more than over a year to complete and that, as part of the University's master plan, the memorial will serve to establish the University's boundaries and create a gateway to both the museum district and the University.