A big day for Brock, Howes
Ceremony celebrates statue of famous general and the university supporter who paid for it
David Howes didn’t live to see the 3,500-pound bronze sculpture of Sir Isaac Brock come home.
But Howes’ role from its inception to installation was not forgotten by Brock University on Thursday.
“Dave Howes was a part of that process every step of the way,” said Brock president Jack Lightstone during a dedication ceremony for the $1.2-million campus sculpture and a celebration of David Howes.
Lightstone said Howes, a former member of the board of trustees and longtime supporter of the university, was a great admirer of Sir Isaac Brock. It was Howes who suggested the university have a sculpture commissioned, but the school didn’t have the resources to do it.
Lightstone said Howes “stepped forward and stepped up” to pay for the statue, its transportation and installation.
“This is a wonderful legacy we are about to celebrate and inaugurate today,” Lightstone said, adding Howes wasn’t there in body but was present in spirit.
The statue will serve as a constant inspiration for Brock students to push and move forward.” Kyle Rose, Brock students union
Board chair John Suk said Howes didn’t like attention, but he would have been pleased to see the crowd that came out to the dedication ceremony.
Hundreds of staff, students, dignitaries and others gathered Thursday near the 4.5- metretall statue in the new Isaac Brock Plaza in front of Schmon Tower, as a photo of Howes looked on.
Howes narrowed down the list of artists for the commission and in June 2013 chose Danek Mozdzenski of Edmonton for, Lightstone said, his thoughtful concept of an intellectual leader.
Mozdzenski said he portrayed Brock at “a moment of arrival to clarity” in brainstorming with his associates. He told those gathered they are the associates who can engage in intellectual and ethical brainstorming.
“What inspired me was the chance to inspire,” he said.
Mozdzenski said Howes made an extraordinary difference and soon it will be the turn of the young people on campus to make their own imprint.
Howes was able to see photos of the statue before he passed away in January. What he didn’t see were the 1,000 students who gathered to watch as the statue arrived on campus March 16 after a 4,000-kilometre journey from an Oregon foundry.
“The statue will serve as a constant inspiration for Brock students to push and move forward,” said Kyle Rose, president of Brock University Students’ Union at the dedication Thursday.
David Howes’ longtime partner, Susanne Di Lalla, said Howes would be elated to see the statue has become a focal point for the school and its students.
“Sir Isaac is finally home, and it’s a long time coming.”