Celebration Ceremony

On Friday, May 14th, 2010, the sculpture and plaza area was dedicated in a touching ceremony.

Welcome by Dr. William H. Crouch, Jr.,
Readings and Commentary by: Rick Elrod
Pastor Larry Travis giving "The Angel's Message"
Dr. Nancy Lumpkin reading Isaiah 40: 30-31
Mark Surgalski
Dr. Scott Takacs reading Romans 5: 1-5
Coach Happy Osborne on Stephen as a Gatherer
Dr. Tom Cooper reading Emily Dickinson's There is Another Sky, verses 9-12
Amanda Matthews, artist
Closing Prayer by Rev. Robert M. Fox, Jr.

Coach Happy Osborne spoke of Stephen being a gatherer during the ceremony


The focal point of the plaza area is the bronze sculpture, an angelic form expressing forward and upward movement and quiet introspection. Designed by Amanda B. Matthews and fabricated at the Prometheus Foundry in the spring 2010, the sculpture is bronze with stainless steel armature situated on a rough-cut limestone base. Inside the wings are fingerprints of family members Judy and Jon Elrod and Celtic crosses that bear the initials SDE in remembrance of Stephen.

Surrounding the sculpture are landscaping features that are intended to transform the space from a pass-through area into a gathering place. Two arcs are comprised of fourteen stones brought to the site from a barn on the Elrod family farm in northern Kentucky. Five limestone stepping-stones lead to the sculpture and provide a path to the granite boulders that offer a site of reflection on each side of the sculpture. The plantings accentuate the sculpture and serve, also, as symbolic reminders of the homes where Stephen lived. These include: Crimson Pygmy Barberry from the family home in Falmouth, Kentucky; Nandina bushes from their Georgia home: and Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry, Knockout Roses, and Liriope that are present at the family's current residence in Foster, Kentucky.
It was very important to us to have the sculpture completed, installed, and dedicated before Jon graduated. All the graduates would line up in the George Bush Fitness Center and march through the plaza and sculpture area. Although Stephen was not present physically during this celebration, his presence was felt in more ways than one.
May 15, 2010