Students Make Gifts for Timely New Campus Landmark
May 10, 2011SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 10, 2011 -- A new landmark on the Springfield College campus, a four-faced Seth Thomas street clock on Naismith Green, will be a permanent reminder of gifts from the Class of 2010 and the Student Government Association, along with support from current classes.
The impetus for the project came from the desire of the Class of 2010 to make a gift in appreciation of their experience at Springfield College. The Student Government Association quickly added its support, and the classes of 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 followed with additional pledges.
“Our students wanted to make a nice addition to the campus for the enjoyment of students and visitors, which they could revisit at future reunions,” said President Richard Flynn. “During planning for the gift, student leaders expressed a desire for an item that would augment the many campus improvements in recent years. The clock emerged as a fitting choice. This demonstrates, once again, how fantastic our students are, their loyalty, and their wish to give back to the institution. This will be much appreciated by students and the entire campus community for years to come.”
Since the Class of 2010 began as freshmen, the College opened the new campus union, field house, wellness center, and Athletic Training/Exercise Science facility, and completed renovations to Schoo-Bemis Hall, Hickory Hall, Fuller Arts Center, Stagg Field, and James Naismith Court. Numerous improvements were made to campus landscaping. Naismith Green was enhanced as a traditional New England campus central location.
The College plans to add a donor plaque to the clock’s base. It will be designed to complement the Victorian appearance of the clock, which is period consistent with the several historic campus buildings. The clock face is customized with the college’s name, founding date, and iconic triangle. Above the face are the words, spirit, mind and body.
The clock is situated outside Cheney Hall, the main student dining facility, at a popular pedestrian intersection. It is also the first landmark that visitors encounter when entering the campus from parking lots on Hickory Street.
Seth Thomas Street Clock Photo Gallery
