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Mack is back
Traveling tiger finds a permanent base in Cornell Hall
Posted: March 30, 2009
"Mack" the tiger has found a new home in Cornell Hall.
Although he's been around the block a few times, Mack is home to stay.
A gift to the Trulaske College of Business from Harry and Ann Cornell, "Mack" is a hollow bronze tiger sculpture created by High Point, N.C. artist Steven Bennett. With the help of Campus Facilities staff, the tiger sculpture received a new artistic base and was permanently installed earlier this month in the foyer outside Cornell Hall's Bush Auditorium.
Named in honor of business college alumnus and benefactor Harry Mack Cornell, Jr., "Mack" became a true MU tiger when the Cornells in February 2008 bought the sculpture from Ashley Adams Antiques in Naples, Fla. and donated it to the college. The sculpture resided for several months in MU's General Services Building, where CF – Construction Services staff prepared a temporary base on which it would stand. It made his first public appearance on campus during the college's Annual Honors Luncheon at the Reynolds Alumni Center. The sculpture then was temporarily installed on the north side of Cornell Hall while CF – Design Services interior designer Cyndi Curnutte and the Cornells searched for an artist to create a permanent base that would display the sculpture in a more natural-looking setting than on a ceramic tile floor.
After the Cornells commissioned renowned Carthage, Mo. artist Larry Glaze to create the new base, Mack was loaded onto a trailer by CF – CS staff for a trip to the artist's studio. Glaze used for the base the 17-inch diameter trunk from a 400-year-old Osage orange tree that was destined for the wood chipper. Acquired by Glaze several years ago, the tree was a survivor of the 1861 Battle of Carthage. A cannonball from the battle is embedded in the wood, along with Glaze's additions of gold flakes, turquoise and copper.
Once the sculpture was returned to MU, CF – CS and CF – Facility Operations staff assisted in its delivery and final installation. CF – CS staff involved with the project were Tyrone Turner, Kenny Roberts, Doug Wallace, Michael Burnett, Terry Kilburn, Bob Moran, Todd Curnutte, Kenny Lewis, Robert Lewis and Bill Peterson. CF – FO staff involved were Greg Heath and Jason Monnig. Cyndi Curnutte coordinated the delivery, location and installation of the sculpture.