Heads up, there’s a new man in town.
This past weekend the Class of 1950 dedicated a statue of the university mascot, the Minuteman, on the Student Union Lawn. The statue, towering over the grassy field, is the most obvious statue of one of our better-known school symbols.
One reason the class chose to erect the monument is because it is a “patriotic symbol.” This, according to Don Progulske, is especially noteworthy because the class of 1,100 had at least 900 veterans.
The bronze statue is the end result of alumni canvassing and generous donations, including a $15,000 from Eugene and Ronnie Isenberg. The Isenberg School of Management is named after Eugene.
So, there is a noticeable statue on campus.
But what else is there?
Most buildings, park benches, gardens and trees on this campus are a strong representation of those who have come before us.
Memorial Hall, perhaps the most obvious, is an entire edifice erected from alumni donations. Every residence hall and building has a name attached to it that somehow represents our past.
The Minuteman statue may be the most obvious, it may become the most readily available symbol of our school, but it is not the only standout of our school’s past.
There was a Herter, a Bartlett, a Tobin, and even a Whitmore as people, not just names, long before they were ever connected to campus buildings.
We should go beyond just remembering one class’ donation power, or pointing out the obvious memorials that have been brought to campus. It would help to preserve the people whose names we choose if we knew more about them.
Right now it is safe to say that, with the exception of our Southwest towers, people are relatively unfamiliar with the names behind the buildings. Even with the more recognizable names, there are certainly visitors and likely some residents that come and go without any consideration to their new home’s namesake.
Take the time to learn more about what is here.
It is not going to change anyone’s mentality just because they learned something about their residence hall. People will probably not change their opinion about Cance just because they know who Cance was, or Van Meter because they find out the significance behind the name Van Meter.
Hopefully, though, by developing some knowledge of what surrounds us, students and staff alike will be able to gain an appreciation for the history of our campus.
Campus identity is a long sought-after ideal. UMass is often regarded by individual identities. There are no links between a Chemical Engineering major that spends his time in the labs of the Conte polymer building and a Journalism student who spends his time in the hallowed halls of Bartlett.
Perhaps, by providing some of this common history, UMass students can find a way to define themselves as one entity, instead of being divided into classes, residential areas, interests and majors.
Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Collegian Editorial Board.