MEDIA CONTACT: Linda Holtz
561-297-0159, lholtz@fau.edu
FAU University Club Donates Fountain
to Boca Raton Campus
Boca Raton, FL (February 16, 2005) - A special dedication ceremony, held on Florida Atlantic University's Boca Raton campus, officially marked the completion and installation of a fountain and plaque on the grounds of the Eleanor R. Baldwin House, FAU's presidential residence and events center. Hosted by FAU President and Mrs. Frank T. Brogan, the evening paid tribute to the members of FAU's University Club whose generous gift made the fountain a reality. The initiative, spearheaded during former University Club President Regina Vetto's term, was a priority of the club's current leader Alene Brewer and club member Mary Dean.
A gift from the University Club, the three-tiered bronze fountain is located in the back lawn of the Baldwin House. Measuring 5-1/2 feet by 12 feet, the fountain is accented with realistically sculpted burrowing owls. The endangered burrowing owl, native to FAU's Boca Raton campus and adopted by the University as a mascot, lends its distinctive form to bronze. Each caught in a different pose, the lifelike owls are depicted congregating on two oak logs within a natural habitat.
The fountain is the conception of artist Bill Klug, president of Art Glass Environments Inc. Working in bronze was a departure for Klug who works from his Delray Beach studio with decorative glass. His etched, stain-leaded and kiln-formed glass creations are nationally sold. Once his design was set, Klug commissioned the fountain to be cast in the traditional lost wax process by foundry workers in Thailand. To ensure that his concept was faithfully reproduced, Klug, over the course of one year, made frequent trips to Thailand to oversee the fountain in its various stages of development. His final trip to Thailand found the fountain fully assembled and finished in a two-tone brown patina.
The celebration ended with a ceremonial coin toss into the trickling fountain by President and Mrs. Brogan.
-FAU-
Founded in 1976, the University Club seeks to advance the academic and research programs of Florida Atlantic University.
