Thursday, November 17, 2011
Hoops bronze sculpture unveiled
Dr. H. Ray Hoops (left) with Don Ingle.
Dr. Hoops served as president of USI from 1994 until 2009 during a time of rapid enrollment growth, approval of new academic programs including a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, and a construction sequence that included the Liberal Arts Center, David L. Rice Library, four residence halls, the Recreation and Fitness Center, the Education Center and Torrington Wing of the Science Center, the Business and Engineering Center, and the expansion of the University Center. The sculpture was created by local artist Don Ingle. Ingle, 90, identified the Hoops bust as his last work, but said, with a twinkle in his eye, "Unless another project comes along." Ingle worked for three months to produce the clay model, and it took another month for the foundry to cast the bronze. The bust is a 1.5 scale portrait of President Hoops from the mid-chest and up. It is over 30 inches high and weighs approximately 90 pounds. It is 22 inches across at its widest part. The bust will remain in the Business and Engineering Center. At today's ceremony, USI Board of Trustees chair Ted Ziemer said, "It is because of Dr. Hoops' involvement in bringing the engineering program to the campus and his leadership in making this building a reality that this prestigious location was chosen for placement of the sculpture." |
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