Alma Mater statue at U of I to be removed for repairs

URBANA — A University of Illinois icon will disappear this summer, but campus officials say won’t be gone for good.

Campus historic preservation officer Melvyn Skvarla said Thursday the Alma Mater sculpture at the corner of Wright and Green streets in the heart of the campus will be removed this summer for repair work. The university plans for it to be back by May 2013.

The 82-year-old statue of a woman wearing robes flanked by two figures representing “Learning” and “Labor” was moved to the spot in 1962.

University officials say artist Lorado Taft intended the statue to be climbed on. That’s led to cracks that could cause it to be seriously damaged.

The university plans to spend just under $100,000 on the repairs.