As the new semester began, The College of ΊΪΑΟΙη revealed a new piece of art on campus, an eight-foot-tall bronze sculpture titled The Piper and located by the Burden Family Patio in view of the Lowry Center and the Scot Center. Gifted to the College by alumnus R. Wayne Randolph β69 and his wife, Wendy W. Randolph, the sculpture portrays a woman playing bagpipes clad in traditional tartan regalia. The sculpture will greet students and fans as they make their way to Papp Stadium and embodies the spirit and tradition of the ΊΪΑΟΙη community.
βWe are thrilled The Piper has arrived on our campus after years of planning and work to create this beautiful piece of art that celebrates one of our most distinctive traditions,β said Carolyn Ciriegio β08, vice president of advancement. βThis thoughtful gift from Wayne and Wendy is a statement of their commitment to the College theyβve known for more than 60 years and their confidence in the future of the ΊΪΑΟΙη community.β
A biology major at ΊΪΑΟΙη, Randolph became a veterinarian, practicing for 50 years. The owner of Countryside Veterinary Hospital in Flemington, New Jersey, Randolph and his wife worked there for 43 years until their retirement in May 2024. In November 2021, while hosting two members of ΊΪΑΟΙηβs Advancement team at his home, Randolph asked if the College would be interested in a bronze life-size bagpiper on campus, as he knew a talented sculptor who could create such a piece. After four years of careful planning, designing, and casting, it was successfully installed on Aug. 8, and an official dedication ceremony will take place during Homecoming Weekend, held Oct. 18-19.
βWe have to give back because ΊΪΑΟΙη gave a lot to us,β said Randolph. &²Τ²ϊ²υ±θ;βI applied to a number of small, high quality liberal arts schools, and I picked ΊΪΑΟΙη. Itβs really one of my best decisions ever.β The sculpture was crafted by renowned sculptor James Sardonis, whose art is inspired by the natural forms of human, plant, and animal life. After Sardonis created the original clay model, Glenn Campbell, foundryman and owner of Campbell Plaster and Iron in West Rutland, Virginia, enlarged the piece and casted it in bronze. βWe could never have done it without these incredibly talented artisans,β Randolph said.
The Piper was installed on Aug. 8, and an official dedication ceremony will take place at Homecoming Weekend in October.