University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

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The Volunteer Symbol THE VOLUNTEER . . . symbol of the University of Tennessee . . . was chosen as the result of a nation-wide competition among student sculptors. Under the leadership of the Classes of 128, '29, '30 and '31, the All Students Club sponsored the contest which closed with the announce- ment of the award on May 12, 1931. In order that artists might have a central theme about which to base their conception of the VOLUNTEER the following paragraph was included in the original announcement of the conditions of the contest: UBack of all of the traditions of Tennessee is the spirit of the State as symbolized by the word lVolunteer'. The term has always been used to honor the State whose men have so readily responded to its call. It is planned to have the symbol represent a youth holding high a torch of intellec- tual and spiritual liberty. The award is to be given to the sculptor who succeeds in moulding a figure of the Volunteer which best catches the spirit of University youth and its ideal of service. The Figure should portray the spirit of volunteer service not only in time of war but in the economic, social, intellectual and spiritual development of the Commonwealth. The Torch is a University tradition; the Volunteer is a tradition of both the University and the State. The competition attracted wide interest among young sculptors and brought a large number of entries from American artists at home and abroad. After careful consideration of the many splendid sculptures submitted the Jury of Award, with Larodo Taft as Chairman, chose for first honors the design of T. Andre Beck, of the Yale School of Fine Arts. The successful artist was presented with the award of one thousand dollars which had been offered by students of the University. It was the pleasure of the sponsors of the competition to have Mr. Beck as their guest for the Aloha Oe Cere- monial in the Spring of 1931. The following excerpts have been taken from the sculptoris interpretation of his work: The Volunteer stands well poised with one foot back, suggestive of dignified and determined forward motion. . . . The Torch is the symbol of enlightenment The sword, symbol of security, is partially concealed in the folds of the mantle to denote preparedness for defensive rather than offensive strife. The winged Victory, borne on the left, is the symbol of success in the sense that the individual bears within himself the qualities Which lead him to make the most of his opportunities. Alertness and determination, as indicated by the position of the head, together with the progress forward, previously mentioned, denote the pioneer in constructive thought and action in all fields of endeavor. Clothing is eliminated as it would have a tendency to make of the symbol a portrait, such as of a soldier, a doctor, a scientist. In other words, it would limit the interpretation to one specific activity; whereas it should embrace all activities. Further, if the symbol were clothed in modern garb, it would lose decorative quality and would become within a few years an expression of a past mode and not of the constant and ever-present basic qualities that determine the individual and constructive pioneer. . . . The Volunteer is intended to be forever a symbol of principles and not the transitory sentimentality. Hence it should never become antique in thought or meaning. While a small bronze reproduction of the winning design is now in the possession of the Volunteer Symbol Committee, the culmination of the proj ect will not be reached until the Symbol is reproduced in heroic size and placed at the main entrance of the University. Present plans call for a gold bronze figure twenty-six feet in height, including the base, with a semi-circular background of pink Tennessee marble. Lighting effects will be used in such a manner as to make the Volunteer the dominating figure of the campus both day and night While funds are being secured for the erection of the heroic bronze, photographic and metallic reproductions of the Symbol will be made available to all Uni- versity men and women Copyright privileges which are to be held by the Trustees of the University will prevent the use of the Symbol for purposes not in keeping with the spirit of the institution. Through these means it is planned to weave the traditional spirit of the Volunteer into the fabric of University life, Certainly no better means could be secured to make clear in artistic form the truth that He Who Beareth a Torch Shadoweth Himself to Give Light to Others.

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t IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Illllllllllll .ulllllllllllm Jlllllllllllllll As members of the staff of the 1932 VOLUNTEER, we wish to dedicate this, the thirty-flfth volume of our annual, to Dr. Lexemuel R. Hesler, a man who, through his kindness, deference, and interest for others, has won a place of esteem in the hearts of both students and fellow members of the faculty; who, through his active interest in the University, its stu- dents and affairs, has helped to maintain and promote its high standards of athletics, social contacts, and above all, its primary objects as an institution of higher educa- tion e that of scholar- ship.