California State University, Fresno President John D. Welty today made the first pledge — $1,000 — to the fund drive to add a monument to Jane Addams to the campus Peace Garden.
Calling Addams a wonderful role model for students of all ages as well as adults, Welty said he looks forward to seeing a bronze sculpture join those of Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Peace Garden.
Welty also challenged the chair of the Addams statue fund drive to match his donation. The chair, Dr. Sharon Brown-Welty, happens to be his wife. She was not able to attend the program Thursday.
A second donation also was announced. Dr. Jane Middleton, chair of the Department of Social Work Education, said her colleagues already have donated $500, and she expects that figure to grow.
The Peace Garden Steering Committee announced that a search has begun for an artist to create the Addams monument. Design proposals for a bronze sculpture will be sought first from Fresno State students, faculty, staff or alumni. Proposals are due June 1. The committee hopes to install the sculpture in fall 2005.
For more information on Jane Addams, the Peace Garden and the artist selection process, see www.csufresno.edu/peacegarden.
Donations to the project may be sent to Peace Garden Addams Monument, California State University, Fresno Foundation, 4910 N. Chestnut Ave., M/S OF33, Fresno, CA 93726-0992.
