By Mitch Holt, Copy Editor
Jacob’s Dream, a 7,000 pound, 32-foot sculpture that depicts the Genesis 28 story of Jacob’s dream will be dedicated to the university Saturday at 1 p.m. on the southeast lawn of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building commemorating the $26.5 million gift from the Grace L. Woodward Memorial Endowment Trust and the end of the university’s Centennial year.
Jack Maxwell, chair of the Department of Art and Design and creator of the sculpture, said he hopes the statue can be used by ACU students, faculty and visitors for spiritual inspiration.
“The entire area is designed to encourage physical, mental and spiritual interaction as visitors explore the site from various perspectives,” Maxwell said. “As an artist, my intention was to create a place that stirs the heart and the soul.”
The sculpture and surrounding area will include four eight-foot tall bronze angels, surrounding Leuder’s Limestone boulders inscribed with words from the Bible, a baptismal pool and a narrow cross-shaped passage.
Each element of the piece of art represents a different spiritual element-the four angels represent the four corners or four directions of the earth and the three overlapping circles near the sculpture represent the father, son and Holy Spirit.
The Grace L. Woodward Memorial Endowment Trust was started by Bob Woodward in 1998 in honor of his mother who was a Bible professor at ACU for more than 50 years. The $26.5 million gift to the university’s College of Biblical Studies is one of the 10 largest gifts in the history of Texas higher education.
The Woodward family has a history of using its financial resources to fund churches, universities and children’s homes, and Grace’s late husband Harley, started the Harley Woodward Foundation at ACU in 1939.
“Mrs. Grace Woodward was a humble Christian servant who touched many lives as a Bible teacher for more than 50 years,” said Dr. Royce Money, president of the university. “We will strive to instill her humble, Christ-like spirit in every student whose life she touches through her magnificent gift.”
