Soaring Bald Eagle Dedicated at LHU

RecordStaffOctober 3, 2020Last Updated: October 3, 2020

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Ronald Bowes, Class of 1966 and a member of the university’s foundation, was among the speakers as Lock Haven University dedicated its Bald Eagle statue.

LOCK HAVEN – It was a gorgeous Saturday morning, what would have been part of Lock Haven University 150th anniversary Homecoming celebration.

COVID-19 took care of any homecoming this year and severely crimped the school’s 150th anniversary plans. But the university was able to mark the occasion with a dedication ceremony/ribbon-cutting for its massive new Bald Eagle statue, placed along N. Fairview Street in the heart of campus.

School President Dr. Robert Pignatello said the statue will be a focal point on the central campus, where students may stop and reflect as “this symbol of our legacy.” He thanked the LHU Class of 1966 as the driving force in the project. His comments came as the university is involved in “integration” efforts with Mansfield University and Bloomsburg University as part of the state System of Higher Education. He noted the statue is made of granite, weighs 36,000 pounds, sits atop a strong foundation, and loudly proclaimed, “It’s here to stay and so are we!”

Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Ronald Bowes from the Class of 1966. He gave a brief history on the university when he attended; stating that tuition at that time was $400 a semester. He said the Class of 1966, on its 50th anniversary in 2016, decided to proceed with the statue project. Those present Saturday included 1966 committee members Bowes, Lew Magent, Terry Shultz and Sharon DeLesio Zegalia. Mary Coploff, representing the LHU Trustees, also spoke.