MORE THAN 1,000 ATTEND MURAL DEDICATION (25 YEARS AGO)

Monday, Sept. 24, 1973

Reprinted from The Southeast Missourian.

The mural which Jake Wells referred to as "some thoughts on a wall" was formally dedicated Sunday afternoon at Kent Library, officially opening SEMO State University's observance of its centennial year.

Rush H. Limbaugh, a SEMO alumnus and recipient of the university's Alumni Merit Award, was keynote speaker for the dedication, which attracted more than 1,000 people.

Tracing events in the nation's early history which eventually led to a system of public education, Mr. Limbaugh said that he regards the campus and its "army of students" as fulfillment of a national purpose. When the nation was founded, it became committed to a new principle, he said. "All power was not vested in, but adhered in, its people. In order for a government to be a good, stable government, it must have the consent of an intelligent, educated citizenry."

Power

The Constitution said nothing about the power to establish a system of education, he said, explaining that power was to be found in the 10th amendment which delegated powers not reserved to the federal government to the states and to the people.

At the time the university here was founded, the city was in the public eye because of its actions during the Civil War to resist the attack of Marmaduke and in keeping the Mississippi River open for Union commerce, Mr. Limbaugh said.

Men instrumental in getting the university brought here were "men of sacrifice, men of honor, men who knew not how to quit," said Mr. Limbaugh, a lawyer for 57 years.

Dr. Mark F. Scully, university president, praised Mr. Wells, a member of the SEMO art faculty, for capturing the history and personality of southeast Missouri in the massive 28 by 30 foot mural. In looking for someone to do the mural, Dr. Scully said that the university found in Mr. Wells "a person who knew us."

Respect

During the nearly three years spent working on the mural, Mr. Wells said he gained a "humble respect for the work of others, past and present," and that he hopes the mural "serves to promote and preserve the dignity of man in somewhat harried, always hurried world."

Also taking part in the dedication ceremonies were Raymond C. Vogel, president of the Alumni Association, and Charles C. Leming, association vice president. Organ music was provided by Mrs. Jack Palsgrove of the university's music faculty, and a choral group directed by Doyle Dumas, also of the music faculty, sang. Invocation was by the Rev. Ernest Jordan, pastor of Evangelical United Church of Christ.

A reception in Memorial Hall followed the ceremony.