Aspire

Louisiana Tech University – Ruston, Louisiana

Critical to the success of this project, the University has placed a high importance to “welcoming gateways” in the master plan. Along the east end of the Campus Green is where the historic campus core and new Enterprise Campus come together. Campus leaders have determined this campus confluence would be the perfect location for an iconic work of art. At nearly 45 feet tall, Aspire emerges graciously from the landscape in the form of a cascading fountain. Important to the overall campus master plan, the fountain metaphor is meant to harmonize with another noteworthy public sculpture on campus – the Lady of the Mist.

It was important to the University that Aspire be both an aspirational totem, as well as a symbol of collaboration, unity, and inclusivity. The art serves to invigorate the urban experience while bringing diverse parts of the campus and surrounding City of Ruston together. A purposeful harmonious relationship was created between the art, the landscape, and the people. This new public space is now a campus focal point and serves as a permanent symbol for humanity.