UWRF Falcon

During construction of the newly built Rodli hall, Melissa Wilson (Executive Director of Admissions) and Sarah Nelson (Professor of Art) discussed that University of Wisconsin – River Falls needed a new tradition. “We wanted something that would attract the attention of our campus visitors and current students alike.” The vision of the sculpture was created around something that could stand the test of time while creating a new space for students and faculty to be proud of their school pride. The sculpture resembles a peregrine falcon. Peter Busby was chosen as the sculpture and describes his work something that creates a sense of community.

Community was a common theme throughout the process of what the committee was hoping to bring to campus for future and current Falcons. The University is hoping that in the future that the students will come by the start of the year by rubbing the falcon’s foot for good luck for years to come. The sculpture was meant to resemble a peregrine falcon, although it is not an exact representation.

In the words of Paulus, “The committee did not choose the artist, but rather the artwork chose us.” Out of 115 applicants, “The committee eventually narrowed the pool down to three and chose Peter Busby,” Paulus explained, “for his artistic vision, craft, and the specific medium of steel rods.” The artist, Busby, describes his work as something that creates a sense of community. The welded artwork, standing at 13’-0” tall. The sculpture made from mild steel rods weighs 2.0 tons.

Hot-dip galvanizing was chosen for the coating’s durability and longevity. With having the sculpture hot-dip galvanized this also allowed to attract people’s attention to the aesthetics of the sculpture.