Did You Know?: Sculpture stands as tribute to Beering
The untitled sculpture by Faustino Aizkorbe near Steven C. Beering Hall of Liberal Arts and Education. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons)
Near the east entrance of Steven C. Beering Hall of Liberal Arts and Education, an unnamed sculpture stands 9 feet tall in honor of President Emeritus Steven Beering. The sculpture was installed in 2003 as a gift to the University from Spanish artist Faustino Aizkorbe.
Aizkorbe created the piece, which features four railroad tracks, a torso and a Maltese cross, to represent Beering's efforts as Purdue's ninth president. During his term from 1983 to 2000, Beering focused his efforts on undergraduate teaching, faculty recognition and beautifying campus.
The iron railroad tracks represent Purdue's support of transportation, communication and the Boilermaker spirit of progress. The bronze torso represents Beering. The cross, which is cut from the torso, symbolizes that Beering was at the heart of transferring the spirit of progress to students. The cut-out cross lies beneath the tracks to represent the foundation Beering provided to the University during his administration.
Beering and Aizkorbe were on campus for the September 2003 dedication of the sculpture. Another Aizkorbe sculpture, "Transformation," is located on Purdue's Agricultural Mall. That piece, installed in 2002, was his first commissioned work in the United States.
