Who ever knew one single letter could stand for so much? The Block "P" has been a part of Purdue's history for more than one hundred years! Now there's a new sculpture to show it. The new Unfinished Block P is located in Academy Park just north of the Stewart Center, outside Hevilon and Weatherill Halls. The sculpture was intentionally left unfinished because it was designed to "symbolize the importance of lifelong learning and self-improvement" showing that even after we leave Purdue, we still grow and will never finish the learning process. The dedication, just last week, among many other homecoming events, unveiled the 8 foot sculpture.
The Block P firt became a part of Purdue tradition on the football field in 1907 thanks to the "All American" Marching Band. It is said that Purdues first Marching Band director, Paul Spotts Emrick, came up with the idea to stand all of the individual band members in the form of the letter "P". He came up with this idea from watching a flock of geese fly in a V formation and it is believed that this was the first time a marching band formed a letter on the football field.
Sculptors, Rick and Rita Hadley made the unfinished P statue to look like it had been carved out of stone. Rick and Rita started by making a clay model of the statue while members of the Iron Key worked on campus getting the necessary approval and raising money to fund the building of the sculpture.
"The Block P sculpture will serve as a reminder that even after you've left Purdue, the educational experience is never complete," said President France A. Córdova. "All students become lifelong Boilermakers and lifelong learners and should strive to always continue to learn and grow throughout their lives."
The Block P firt became a part of Purdue tradition on the football field in 1907 thanks to the "All American" Marching Band. It is said that Purdues first Marching Band director, Paul Spotts Emrick, came up with the idea to stand all of the individual band members in the form of the letter "P". He came up with this idea from watching a flock of geese fly in a V formation and it is believed that this was the first time a marching band formed a letter on the football field.
Sculptors, Rick and Rita Hadley made the unfinished P statue to look like it had been carved out of stone. Rick and Rita started by making a clay model of the statue while members of the Iron Key worked on campus getting the necessary approval and raising money to fund the building of the sculpture.
"The Block P sculpture will serve as a reminder that even after you've left Purdue, the educational experience is never complete," said President France A. Córdova. "All students become lifelong Boilermakers and lifelong learners and should strive to always continue to learn and grow throughout their lives."
1 comment:
That was an interesting article. The picture really captured my attention!
I saw some headlines on the Unfinished P last week but didn't realize what it really was about until now.
I like the way how you used the quote from the president as to why the P is unfinished. And also adding the little Purdue fact on when the P was actually interesting!
Now that I know all the details on the P I'm really interested in showing off this great sculpture to new people and tell them what it means to Purdue students & alumni.
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