As part of its upcoming centennial festivities, The University of Memphis plans to celebrate with an ambush of tiger statues, live concerts and more.
The Centennial Celebration will begin September 10 at noon, which marks the beginning of the "Let The Cat Out of The Bag" showcase, a citywide display of one hundred unique tiger statues that were purchased and designed by local businesses and other sponsors in Memphis. The statues will remain on campus until January 2012 when they will be placed around town, according to Alexa Begonia, coordinator of Alumni Affairs.
"The selection of Tiger designs is on a first come first serve basis," Begonia said.
In addition to the hundred tiger statues, The University plans to unveil a bronze tiger statue, designed by David Alan Clark, an artist selected out of 25 applicants across the country. Clark, a resident of Wisconsin, is also the sculptor behind the bronze statue of Tom Lee at the downtown park that bears his name. Begonia said Clark was chosen because of his experience and dedication to this project.
The tiger statue will be one-third scale and is scheduled to be revealed in front of the University Center on Alumni Weekend, April 20, 2012.
"We are confident it will become a central part of campus for generations to come," said Bobby Prince, Associate Vice President of Development.
Steven Petersen, Associate VP of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, said Student Affairs is taking several measures to spread the news of the celebration, which will continue through December 2012 with concerts at the Cannon Center downtown, a spring carnival and many other events being planned.
A time capsule will be included in the base of the statue. Peterson said students will be given the opportunity to suggest ideas of what to put in the time capsule.
"Spell Outs" – flash mob-like scenes where participants gather together in the form of a shape, or number-- such as the hundred made in front of the UC last spring by faculty staff and students -- along with banners, picture displays and email notifications will be used inform the community of the centennial year.
Petersen said that the committee he is working with plans on putting a "Centennial Twist" to the annual events that occur every year, like the new student convocation or commencements in May, August and December.
Petersen also said that they plan to invite the seven living members of the Memphis State Eight to campus.
Adam Moussa, a Senior Sports Management major who will be graduating in May, donated one hundred dollars to have his name engraved with the bronze statue that will be unveiled in April. Moussa, who is from Knoxville, said that he is excited for the Centennial.
"It brings people together from all types of generations," he said.
Moussa said that knowing he would be a "Centennial Senior" was one of the things that motivated him to move across the state.
