The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy of the University Abraham Baldwin, one of the founding fathers of the University, penned the University's original charter. [Click to enlarge]

When Loch Johnson walked by Yale University's bronze statue of Nathan Hale, he could only feel inspired.

After returning to Athens, Johnson, a professor in the School of Public and International Affairs, noticed a shortage of similar statuary on the University's campus.

"We have such a wonderful history around here," Johnson said.

"We ought to be displaying some of that history."

Johnson decided to pursue having a statue erected on North Campus to honor Abraham Baldwin, one of the University's founding fathers.

After a presentation last February and discussions with the Facilities Committee of the University Council, Johnson said he hopes to see a bronze rendition of Baldwin within the next two years.

Johnson selected Kinzey Branham, a member of the art department faculty, as the sculptor for the project.

The life-size sculpture, funded entirely through fundraising efforts, would cost about $60,000, he said.

Johnson said the proposed two-year time frame for the project could be affected by the current economic climate, and the date of the project's completion would ultimately depend on how quickly the required funds could be solicited.

"Some people say, 'Gosh, that's a lot of money,'" Johnson said. "But there are some donors out there who are really interested in certain, specific projects - like people interested in the arts - who will find this project worthwhile and who may not have given to the University otherwise."

When completed, Baldwin's statue will stand on a pedestal near Old College, clasping a book and looking toward the Main Library - "not the 89 bars downtown," Johnson said.

Nash Boney, a retired history professor, said the statue would be a useful reminder of the University's rich history.

"Without Baldwin, I guess there wouldn't have been a University of Georgia," Boney said in a phone interview last week.

Continued...

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