Contact: Morgan Tubbs
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The 2012 senior class at Mississippi State is bringing back a piece of university history by restoring the "Bull Ring" as their gift to the 134-year-old land-grant institution.
Senior Rhett Hobart of Greenville, MSU Student Association president, said the class-gift program, which had lapsed over the years, also is being reinstated.
"The 'Bull Ring' was a historical place on our campus, given by the Class of 1933 as their gift," Hobart said.
"We feel it's a good way for us to leave an impact on the university," he added. "It's something that's really important to our alumni, something that bonds our alumni and our student body together."
A D-shaped concrete seating area, the original "Bull Ring" was located on the north side of Old Main, the massive quadrangle dormitory, and directly across Lee Boulevard from the YMCA Building's front steps. Later, in its first restoration, the popular locale was situated nearby along the west end of the Colvard Student Union's front lawn.
Completed in 1964, the student union was built on what had been the north wing of Old Main, which was destroyed completely by a historic fire in early 1959.
In both locales, a shade tree in the ring's middle helped provide students and others with a pleasant place to relax and "shoot the bull."
Hobart said the new "Bull Ring" will be essentially where it was after the first restoration--and, of course, with a shade tree in the middle.
This time the "Bull Ring" will be surrounded with engraved bricks purchased for $50 each. Additionally, three primary giving levels open to students and alumni include: Aggie Level, $250 donations; Maroon Level, $500 donations; and Bulldog Level, $1,000 donations. Names of donors at these levels will be listed on an engraved plaque at the site.
Hobart added students also may donate $20.12 to the project in honor of the 2012 senior class.
"I think it's really important for students to give back to their alma mater in this way," Hobart said. "It's a way for us to leave a lasting mark on the university through a physical landmark on campus."
Campus master planner Roger Baker said MSU's master plan is designed to accommodate restoration projects such as this, which is scheduled for completion prior to the beginning of the 2012 fall semester.
"Future restorations are hoped to be of the highest quality and historically accurate," Baker explained. "One of the guiding principles of the campus master plan is to honor the great history and traditions of Mississippi State University."
For more about MSU, visit www.msstate.edu.
For more about the project, contact Hobart at the Student Association office, 662-325-2930. Baker may be reached at 662-325-5830 or rbaker@physplant.msstate.edu.