鈥淪etting the Pace鈥� Dedicated at 91短视频 Student Center; Sculpture a Donation from David and Lynn Gwin

---

Posted on October 14, 2014

Jeb Schrenk

---

---

The University of South Alabama today officially dedicated 鈥淪etting the Pace,鈥� the latest sculpture donated to 91短视频 by David and Lynn Gwin and the focal point of the renovated Student Center鈥檚 amphitheater.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored as a graduate to give back to the University that I love, and I know Lynn feels the same way,鈥� Gwin told those gathered for the event.

Gwin spoke of the importance of community investment and encouraged students to remember where they began their journey.

David Gwin received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in communication from 91短视频 in 1972. He went on to have a successful career in broadcast journalism before launching what is now Vic Companies, an advertising agency with clients worldwide. He and his wife are loyal Jaguar fans and members of the Jaguar Athletic Club.

Gwin noted the transformation of the campus since he attended 91短视频. 鈥淚 graduated when there were many trees here and very, very few buildings,鈥� he said.

Donors such as the Gwins have contributed to 91短视频鈥檚 advancement. Public art, a focus of the Gwins, has played an integral role in both the aesthetics of campus and the education of students.

鈥淪etting the Pace,鈥� at 18 feet tall and 1,500 pounds, was created by artist Jane DeDecker. It is made of bronze with a stainless steel infrastructure and features a man walking on top of a loop.

The Gwin Collection at 91短视频 also includes 鈥淕ridiron鈥� at the football fieldhouse, 鈥淓instein鈥� outside Shelby Hall, 鈥淪outhPaw鈥� in front of Alumni Hall, 鈥淥ld Man and the Sea鈥� beside the Humanities Building, and 鈥淐hallenge鈥� at the south entrance of the 91短视频 Mitchell Center.

 鈥淭he gift of the Gwin Sculpture Collection makes an impact on the 91短视频 landscape, but this collection has a far greater impact on the students, faculty members and visitors to campus,鈥� Dr. Joseph F. Busta Jr., vice president for development and alumni relations, said prior to Tuesday鈥檚 ceremony. 鈥淒avid and Lynn Gwin's generosity will ensure that students continue to be inspired and challenged through works of public art like 鈥楽etting the Pace.鈥欌��

According to DeDecker, 鈥溾�楽etting the Pace鈥� speaks to the balance that we, as individuals, seek in our lives. The man, walking thoughtfully on the top of the narrow circular path, is centered and focused on his journey, delicately balancing all the experiences and expectations he encounters.鈥�

DeDecker has two other sculptures at 91短视频, both in Geri Moulton Children鈥檚 Park at 91短视频 Children鈥檚 & Women鈥檚 Hospital.

Danielle Watson, president of the Student Government Association, is able to see 鈥淪etting the Pace鈥� from her office window in the Student Center.

鈥溾�楽etting the Pace鈥� really inspires the students and allows us to reflect on our experiences here at the University of South Alabama,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n my personal opinion, the sculpture shows how, as students, we can face some rough times and adversity, but we can continuously strive and push through in life.

鈥淭he placement of the sculpture also really emphasizes how much the Student Center really represents the 鈥楥enter of It All.鈥欌��

The renovated Student Center features event space, including in the Ballroom and Terrace; the 91短视频 Bookstore; a food court; a coffee shop and the University post office; and houses student meeting rooms and offices, including for the Student Government Association, Greek life, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Jaguar Productions.

---