The Wayland Heritage Plaza, featuring the bronze statue of the university's founder and namesake, Dr. James Henry Wayland, was formally dedicated Aug, 20-21, 2008, as part of WBU's centennial celebration with the theme "Dreams to Reality." The first ceremony was an outdoor chapel service for students, faculty and staff at 11 A.M. Aug. 20 and also included opening of a time capsule buried just to the north of the main entrance of Gates Hall in 1984. The second ceremony for the general public was held the next evening with mayor John C. Anderson presenting a proclamation saluting the occasion. Several members of the Wayland family attended, including Beulah McInnish, Dr. Wayland's granddaughter who was raised as one of his children. She was 99 at the time of the dedication. The Wayland statue was created by nationally-known Lubbock sculptor Eddie Dixon and is 1 ½ times life size. Bricks for the plaza were salvaged from Matador Hall, the women's dorm and first building finished on campus, which was torn down in the late 1990's. Major funding for the plaza came from the James and Eva Mayer foundation of Plainview. Gifts for the statue were secured over a period of several years.
Comments 0 comments