Gigantic Mortarboard - Columbus, OH
N 39° 57.509 W 082° 59.424
17S E 329991 N 4425046
This giant mortarboard is at the Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Waymark Code: WM2M28
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 11/18/2007
Views: 43
William H. Eells, a retired executive of the Ford Motor Company and longtime Franklin University supporter donated the giant mortarboard to Franklin University in honor of the university’s 100th Anniversary. The sculpture is called “Commencing” and was created by local artist Todd Slaughter. Slaughter designed the large blue mortarboard to symbolize academic achievement, the exuberance of graduation, and Franklin’s commitment to excellence in education.
The mortarboard, which was fabricated by Edwards Steel, consists of a steel frame covered by a textured sheet metal skin. The tassel is a grouping of twisted aluminum rods. The mortarboard weighs about 10,000 pounds and is supported by 13 cables and five masts on either side of Rich Street. Korda/Nemeth Engineering was the engineer on the project and Runyon Erectors erected “Commencing.” In December 2002, Franklin University held a dedication ceremony at which Douglas Kridler, President of the Columbus Foundation, gave the dedication address.