VCU’s 40th Anniversary Festivities Continue with a University-Wide Celebration, Unveiling of Sculptures and the Monroe Park Festival

Virginia Commonwealth University continues its 40th Anniversary activities tomorrow, Oct. 24, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Siegel Center, with a university-wide celebration. VCU President Eugene P. Trani will be joined by students, faculty, staff and alumni representatives to lead the celebration of VCU’s history and to look to the future. The event also includes the "40 Acts of Caring" awards presentation that will recognize university participants and their community partners.

As part of its 40th anniversary celebration this week, VCU also will unveil two new sculptures in prominent locations on campus. “Truth and Beauty,” a work by Lester Van Winkle, professor emeritus of sculpture at VCU, and “Tableith,” a work by Charles Ponticello, who received his M.F.A. in sculpture from VCU, both honor the university’s past and provide striking new landmarks for current and future students.

“Truth and Beauty” features two oversized wooden winged desks, made of bronze and stainless steel, which face a large easel with a sketch of Henry H. Hibbs, provost of the former Richmond Professional Institute, the precursor to VCU. The sculpture is located in the courtyard area between Hibbs Hall and the Anderson Gallery in the Shafer Court area of campus. “Truth and Beauty” will be recognized in a ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday.

“Tableith” weighs more than 20 tons and includes 51 stacked cast discs stacked high. Each of the discs is inscribed with historical information or key events from the years 1917-68, when RPI merged with the Medical College of Virginia to form VCU. “Tableith,” which is located in the courtyard west of Ginter House, commemorates RPI and its students and was the winner of a competition conducted by the RPI Sculpture Committee, which included several RPI alumni. “Tableith” will be introduced in a ceremony on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. on the front lawn of Ginter House and Scott House, 909 W. Franklin St.

40th Anniversary celebrations this week will conclude Saturday, Oct. 25, with the Monroe Park Festival, which will be held rain or shine from noon to 5 p.m.  The family-friendly campus and community festival will feature live performances from popular local bands, a recreation area, a variety of food vendors, cultural activities and health screening areas.