 |
||||
Gift |
||||
| A simple
gift was the catalyst providing the momentum for what was to become
"Soaring Eagle Prairie". UND alumnus Colonel Eugene E. Myers
(‘36, ‘38) gave to UND students the impressive “Soaring
Eagle Statue” by Native American artist Bennett Brien (‘84,
‘88). The statue was installed on central campus (south of the
Chester Fritz Library) and dedicated fall 2000. As we walked past
the simple elegance of the statue and felt Colonel Myers' generosity,
many were moved.
Several commented knowingly and whimsically that rather than Kentucky bluegrass, the Eagle would be much happier surrounded by prairie grasses and flowers. The simple gift of Colonel Myers encouraged us to think how we might give back to a campus and region which mean a great deal to us. While some may give money, others could give their own extraordinary gifts of time and talent upon which no financial statement of worth can be given. Colonel Myers' generosity gives us pause to think about our actions and their effects upon the world. His gift became like a stone cast into a pond. His generosity created ripples of caring which is a teaching for our time. "I want to give too." "I want my world to be a different place." A Native elder once told me that among his people it was known that whatever energy you give to the world is ultimately the energy returned. The Soaring Eagle Statue and Prairie became statements of love and generosity to our world. That is the world I would like to create. |
||||
|
||||
