2008 Woodie Awards
Statue Keeps Professor Alive
Maria Fruci
Issue date: 9/14/05 Section: Campus News
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Wayne Newman Palmer, professor emeritus of mathematics passed away last February. He was known for both his love for mathematics and coin collecting. He also started a scholarship for students with money from recycling bottles and cans.
To honor his 32 years of service, President Todd Hutton decided to have a sculpture constructed that would be symbolic of Palmer's activities and support to UC.
"The sculpture is simple, but powerful," said Steve Specht, professor of psychology. "It is there to stop people and make them think, learn and appreciate Palmer's commitment to the institution and to his students."
Specht carried out President Hutton's idea and formed a committee consisting of Carolynne Whitefeather, assistant professor of Fine Arts, Rob Woods, former executive assistant to the president, Sydney Waller, executive director of Sculpture Space and Daniel Buckingham, Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute instructor.
After looking over proposals from entries all over the world, the committee selected Rainer Maria Wehner of Berlin, Germany. According to Whitefeather, Wehner's proposal was a true reflection of Palmer's interests and personality.
Wehner's sculpture, which is made out of stainless steel and galvanized steel or rust-proof steel, is an artistic interpretation of the Pythagorean Theorem. This mathematical formula relates to the three sides of a right angle triangle, where the square of the hypotenuse (longest side of the triangle) equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
Hossein Behforooz, professor of mathematics, colleague and friend of Palmer, feels that this well-known, historical theorem corresponds to Palmer's vast knowledge on the history of math.
In addition to the mathematical representation, Wehner decided to utilize the recycling symbol on the base of the sculpture instead of a bottle or can, to signify Palmer's scholarship.
"It was an unusual project where I enjoyed tying in mathematics, recycling and Palmer's sparkling personality," says Wehner.
Wehner was able to work on the piece at Sculpture Space located in Utica, NY, which provides room and equipment, so he and other artists can work in an affordable, conducive environment.
Through funding from UC, Heritage World Coin Auctions in Dallas, Texas, which is the auction that handled the sale of Palmer's coin collection, and Steates Remmell Steates & Dziekan, who are the attorneys that handled Palmer's estate, the building of the sculpture was made possible.
Other materials were donated by Meyda Tiffany, O.W. Hubbell & Sons, Inc., and Pacemaker Steel & Piping Company, which are all located in the Utica area.
When walking by the sculpture, Chris Fobare '06 instantly noticed it. Fobare said, "It catches you eye because it looks completely different from anything else on campus."
The new sculpture was unveiled on August 26, during a ribbon cutting ceremony.