Fair | 72°

Ah, the irony of the Alma Mater in the cold of January. The open arms say, "Welcome," at the same time the snow and ice say, "Wouldn't you rather be somewhere on a beach?" Sculpted by Loredo Taft, this statue was conceived in 1922 and then cast in 1929 by the American Art Bronze Foundry, paid for by the Alumni Fund and the classes of 1923-1929. It was crafted by Taft as "his gift to the University in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of his graduation." The Alma Mater rests on a granite pedestal created by Charles Platt. Originally placed behind the Auditorium, the Alumni Association moved the sculpture to its present location in 1962. Take a UI photo tour.