BIG RAPIDS – The founding mission to create opportunity and provide access to education for all began more than 125 years ago at Ferris State University and a recent sculpture dedication will ensure these values have a permanent place in the community.

The unveiling of the set of three sculptures, placed permanently west of campus on Perry Street, took place on May 7 as part of the University’s 125th celebrations.

“The sculptures are a visual narrative that offer a thought-provoking dialog to the viewer of all ages about the nature and intellectual personality of a place and time,” Ferris Resident Artist and professor of Creative Arts Robert Barnum said.

“This university is an industry dedicated to goals from the practical to the philosophical that evolves the human race. The sculptures are a visual presence that will stand for hundreds of years and will require a personal, self-directed response,” Barnum said.

Designed by Barnum, the sculpture project was an extension of the Festival of the Arts, a program dedicated to enriching lives through art and building bridges between Ferris and the surrounding communities.

The sculptures were built with the help of Welding Engineering Technology students and associate professor David Murray.