[cover]

Lowry Mall Dedication
October 26, 1984

[drawing of Mall with Memorial Tower in background signed by K. Schmidt]

University of Missouri-Columbia

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Lowry Mall History

Lowry Mall, a people's place, was the dream, design and gift of UMC people for UMC people. As early as the 1960's, student leadership conceived the idea of closing Lowry Street and making a pedestrian area for the University community. As a first step the University and the City of Columbia reached an agreement in 1973 to limited access for vehicular traffic on Lowry Street during certain periods of the day throughout the academic year. However, it was in 1978 that the student leadership met with Chancellor Barbara Uehling to discuss the permanent closing of Lowry Street in order to convert it to a landscaped pedestrian mall and gained her support of the project. In turn, the 1978-79 Student Fee Capital Improvements Committee recommended an allocation of its funds for the project. Following this action, in 1980 the Lowry Mall plan was mapped by a gathering of 50 student leaders, faculty members, University and City officials meeting in a seven-hour workshop with landscape specialists and architects.
The plans were to transform Lowry Street into a common area of terraced plazas joining the Memorial Union with the Francis Quadrangle and the Red Campus via a red brick mall. While the plan initially seemed to be ambitious, a gradual commitment of student capital improvement funds and private donations to the $878,000 project soon ensured its completion. Through its various stages of progress over three years, the open and welcoming area outside Ellis Library already has become a favorite place for student forums, exhibits and entertainment, as well as a place for study and rest.
Early designs for Lowry Mall called for the inclusion of artwork to accent the open space and the surrounding architecture. Subsequently, a Visual Arts Task Force was convened to recommend art work and the first monumental piece, "Yielding Spire," was installed this past summer. The two ton natural steel vertical sculpture by John Brough Miller is the first of three art works to grace the mall. A second piece designed by sculptor Dennis L. Chegwidden is to be in place by May 1985.
Today we celebrate Lowry Mall's completion and dedicate it to those who dreamed of its creation; to those who worked toward its planning and design; to those who generously provided the funds; and finally, to all of the people who enjoy it.

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Dedication Program

October 26, 1984
4:00 p.m.

Prelude ... University Symphony Band, Directed by Dr. Dale Kennedy
Master of Ceremonies ... Mr. Dirk Hubbard, President, Missouri Students Association
Lowry Mall History ... Mr. Hank Plain, UMC Alumnus 1980, Former Chair Student Fee Capital Improvements Committee
Comments on Sculpture ... Dr. William B. Bondeson, Faculty member of the Lowry Sculpture Task Force
Words of Welcome and Thanks ... Chancellor Barbara S. Uehling, University of Missouri-Columbia
Board of Curators Comments ... Mr. David Lewis, President, Board of Curators
Celebration ... University Singers, directed by Dr. Duncan Couch, and the University Symphony Band directed by Dr. Dale Kennedy

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Lowry Mall designed by:

Tao Design and Associates
St. Louis, Missouri

Lowry Mall developed and funded with the generous gifts from:

UMC Student Fee Capital Improvement Funds
William H. and Thelma T Byler
Estate of Emma Murray Chiles
Enid and Crosby Kemper Foundation
First National Bank of Bethany
David and Natalie Lewis
Douglas and Lyn Mehle (McDonald's)
Richard J. Scholfield
United Missouri Bank of St. Joseph
United Missouri Bank of Brookefield)
United Missouri Bank of Jefferson City
United Missouri Bank of Milan
Anonymous Donors

"Yielding Spire" Sculpture by:
John Brough Miller
Argyle, Texas

funded by:
Wilma and Bud Messing

Additional sculpture piece by:
Dennis L. Chegwidden
Buhler, Kansas

funded in part by:
Missouri Arts Council
UMC Student Fee Capital Improvement Funds
Anonymous Gifts