About 15
years ago, Thomas H. Bown II of Gwynedd Valley wrote the words, “To honor
Bonnie Bown: my girlfriend, fiancée and wife through Pennsylvania Military
College, Widener and life; Becky and Catherine’s mom.”
Those words
provided inspiration as he considered his long-time wish to make a significant
gift to his alma mater, Widener University. On Sept. 29, the Bowns celebrated
the dedication of the Bown Dome Sculpture Garden with 250 people at a black-tie
dinner in the garden at Widener. Bonnie saw those words for the first time,
chiseled in granite, along with the sculpture and the two-acre transformation
of the center of Widener’s campus.
Over the
summer, the area adjacent to Widener’s iconic Old Main building was transformed
into an expansive green space featuring 36 Japanese Zelkova trees, centered by
a 52-foot-tall dome sculpture that echoes the signature dome atop Old Main. The
sculpture includes 11 monumental scale, 600-pound, solid stainless steel
silhouettes depicting students, faculty and graduates in cap and gown below and
surrounding the dome. The garden and sculpture were designed by Tom Bown and
made possible through a $1.25 million gift from the Bowns.
“My concept for
the dome sculpture was to create a focal point at the center of campus that
reflects the strength of our historic past, our present sense of community and
our bright future. Bonnie and I share a mutual interest in art and beautiful
landscapes,” said Tom Bown, a 1967 graduate of Pennsylvania Military College,
now Widener University, and a long-time university trustee.
According to
Widener University President James T. Harris III, the garden is more than a
serene setting for the university community to enjoy. It will have meaning, as
freshmen pass under the dome, over a six-foot granite seal of the University,
following freshmen convocation at the outset of their Widener education. Then,
at graduation, students will again pass through the dome symbolizing the
completion of another phase of their education and entering the world
community.
“This
generous gift from Tom and Bonnie Bown not only honors their long love for each
other,” Harris said, “but it also honors the past, present and future of this proud
institution.”
Bonnie Bown
added, “I was aware of our gift, of course, but Tom kept me from seeing the
finished product of his design efforts until the dedication. I am amazed and
proud of the beauty and feeling he has evoked.”
“Our gift is
to help ensure the future success of Widener so that the university will thrive
and be available for others as it was for us so many years ago,” Tom Bown
added.
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