Thomas More University unveils statue of namesake saint, dedicates academic center to donor

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

Thomas More University, Crestview Hills, received a gift in the form of a larger-than-life statue of its namesake and patron saint, St. Thomas More, which was unveiled on the campus in front of the Academic Center, Oct. 21. The ceremony brought together students, faculty, administrators and community members to celebrate the statue’s dedication and blessing.

Designed and constructed by sculptor Matt Langford, Mr. Langford sought to highlight several qualities of the saint in his work — namely his “steadfastness, intellect and faith.”

“The folds of his robe are rooted to the base in the manner of a tree rooted to the ground,” Mr. Langford described in his remarks at the unveiling ceremony. “This is purposeful,” he said. “This is metaphoric for his stability and the fact he would not be moved from his conscience.”

St. Thomas More is notable for his unswaying dedication to his faith, famously opposing King Henry VIII’s separation from the Catholic Church and declaration of himself as the head of the Church of England.

Mr. Langford also depicted the saint as “shorn of all status,” lacking his typical S-chain or Tudor rose. “To that degree, I strayed from historical images,” he said, still having chosen to keep the identifiable robes of the saint in the depiction, but leaning towards St. Thomas More’s unwavering act of faith as symbolism for the statue.

Present also at the ceremony was Wilbert “Will” Ziegler, who donated the statue to the university. An alumnus of the school, as well as an attorney and philanthropist, Mr. Ziegler, 92, expressed his dedication to supporting the university as “long as he can walk around.”

As part of the proceedings, Thomas More University president Joseph Chillo presented Mr. Ziegler with an honorary Doctor of Law, and declared the university’s recently constructed academic center — which the statue is installed in front of — to be named after Mr. Ziegler.

“It is fitting that this building, devoted to the pursuit of knowledge and the formation of future generations,” Mr. Chillo said in his remarks during the ceremony, “bears the name of a man whose life reflects the enduring value of education, the responsibility of leadership and the important of service to others.”

“As we look ahead,” said Mr. Chillo, “may the example of our patron saint and the legacy of Will Ziegler continue to inspire every member of our university community … to embrace the responsibilities of leadership, remain steadfast in our Catholic identity and pursue the common good with conviction and purpose.”