January 28, 1997
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Mercer Student Government Association Presents
Jesse Mercer Statue During
Founder's Day Ceremony
A life-size statue of Mercer University founder Jesse Mercer was presented to the University by the Student Government Association (SGA) on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at approximately 1:50 p.m. at the recently completed Jesse Mercer Plaza on the University's campus.
Mercer President R. Kirby Godsey accepted the $48,000 statue on behalf of the University from Student Government Association President Joey Wright. The presentation is a part of annual Founder's Day activities celebrating Mercer's 165th academic year.
The SGA spent seven years raising the funds to commission the 1,000-pound, solid bronze statue, which was sculpted by Donald Haugen and Teena Stern of Marietta. It depicts the Baptist statesman relaxing on a bench, looking out over the campus.
The statue serves as the centerpiece of the University's newly dedicated Jesse Mercer Plaza. The plaza, located between Groover and Ware halls, is a bricked, circular gathering spot with bench seating and several of Jesse Mercer's most intriguing quotes carved in the stone surrounding its perimeter.