Standing Tall and Proud- The Spartan Statue
The beloved statue, Sparty, has gone through a long history to be what he is today and where he now stands. Even though he went through a few different statues, materials, and locations, Sparty is the mascot and icon of Michigan State University
The original Spartan Statue was designed and produced by MSU assistant art professor Leonard D. Jungwirth. At this point in time, the statue stood 9 feet, 7 inches tall. The large statue weighed approximately 6,600 pounds, including its base. Spartan Statue was dedicated on June 19, 1945 at the intersection of Red Cedar Road, Kalamazoo Street, and Chestnut Road.
In 2005, the sculpture, now cast in bronze, was relocated to the north end of Demonstration Hall field, to protect it from the elements. The molds for the bronze statue were made from the original sculpture. The new bronze Sparty was dedicated on October 8,2005. Donors contributed approximately $500,000 to pay for all work related to the new sculpture, including the plaza.
After the Beaumont Tower, Sparty is the second most photographed object on campus.
President Hannah felt that SParty was an, 'exemplification of the youth and spirit of Michigan State College.' To Hannah, the Spartan statue was a symbol of the strength, honor, and courageousness which represents the spirit of MSU's students.
After the Beaumont Tower, Sparty is the second most photographed object on campus.
President Hannah felt that SParty was an, 'exemplification of the youth and spirit of Michigan State College.' To Hannah, the Spartan statue was a symbol of the strength, honor, and courageousness which represents the spirit of MSU's students.
When If Meets Must
If we can fight together, we must strive together
If we can play together, we must pray together If we can plan together, we must stand together If we can cry together, we must try together We must strive together, if we can fight together We must pray together, if we can play together We must stand together, if we can plan together We must try together, if we can cry together The future of man is built on a plan Of working together whenever we can So "if" must stand so tall And "must" alone, cannot fall For together, forever we bring The best, the good of it all - James Weldon Lane |
I chose this poem because it signifies the unity of Michigan State University. The Spartan Statue is the epitome of the campus. So much of campus can visually be recognized simply by being in the vicinity of Spartan Statue. From the pedestal of the Statue, we were able to see the Red Cedar River, the Football Stadium, and other various parts of campus, showing that no matter where you are on campus, there are visual markers of what hold us together as a university and what shows us how we are connected, together as Spartans.
Also, this poem signifies the strength in unity. Strength is typically tied to masculine characteristics, which is also what Sparty represents. Therefore, the powerfulness of being together that the poem conveys is also conveyed in Sparty and the masculinity that Sparty exudes. |
Information:
http://www.poemsabout.com/together/
http://www.msuspartans.com/trads/msu-traditions.html
http://msuarchives.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/sparty-the-beloved-spartan/
Images:
http://k-swuaredcreative.com/about/bachelors-degree/sparty_original2_dt/
http://www.cqql.net/sparty.htm
http://michiganstate.247sports.com/Board/93/Photo-Request-Sparty-Statue-16915797/1
http://www.poemsabout.com/together/
http://www.msuspartans.com/trads/msu-traditions.html
http://msuarchives.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/sparty-the-beloved-spartan/
Images:
http://k-swuaredcreative.com/about/bachelors-degree/sparty_original2_dt/
http://www.cqql.net/sparty.htm
http://michiganstate.247sports.com/Board/93/Photo-Request-Sparty-Statue-16915797/1