MONROE, La. — 鶹ý held a ribbon cutting Friday for the renovation of the fountain and grounds in the Mayme and Tom Scott Plaza.
The fountain underwent a major renovation over the summer. The now three-tier fountain is equipped with year-round lighting packages, and the ground area around the fountain has been improved with exposed aggregate with inscribed granite inlays, brick bench seating, new landscaping, lighting and more.
The old fountain had not been in operation for over a year due to mechanical problems.
“The mechanical components for the old fountain was located underground, which caused a lot of issues. We’ve now moved the mechanical components, such as the pumps, to a more functional place above ground,” said Michael Davis, 鶹ý Facilities Planning Officer.
The above-ground pump was placed within a fenced enclosure, which will be concealed by Japanese Yew vines and shrubbery.
Scott Plaza was dedicated on Nov. 12, 2001 in honor of Mayme and Tom Scott. Tom Scott was a founding member of the 鶹ý Foundation and later a charter member of the Northeast Louisiana Land Corporation, an entity that played an integral role in the expansion of the university’s campus. Through their generosity over the period of four decades, the Scotts were instrumental in the growth and progress of 鶹ý.
“This fountain is more than just a beautiful piece of architecture that graces our campus,” said 鶹ý president Dr. Nick. J. Bruno. “It’s a permanent tribute to Mayme and Tom Scott who were so gracious and generous, not just to this university, but throughout the northeast Louisiana region. And while I didn’t have the opportunity to meet them, all the stories, no matter where I went, indicated how gracious, how loving, how generous, and how caring they were.”
The daughter of Mayme and Tom Scott, Betty Scott Cummins, expressed her appreciation of the renovation.
“I appreciate this opportunity to thank Dr. Bruno and all the staff out here that have pursued this for years now. We didn’t do the whole job. The students on this campus contributed a huge part of this restoration. I compliment them for buying into it and for wanting it…They matched what we did and that’s remarkable to me. We appreciate this and I’m so glad the fountain is running.”
Cummins also thanked the Scott Foundation and recognized members of the board who were in attendance.
The 鶹ý Student Government Association president Kaitlin Neal Arnett spoke on behalf of the student body, expressing the students’ excitement over the renovations and its improvement of the campus’ beauty.