Alma College To Unveil Sculpture in Memory of Bishop Makarios
ALMA COLLEGE NEWS
April 29, 2009

http://www.alma.edu/about/offices/publicrelations/pinecone/features/archives/200\
9/04/16/memorial_sculpture

ALMA, Mich., USA — Alma College will unveil a figurative sculpture that
represents the spiritual ideals of the late Bishop Thomas Mar Makarios during a
dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2009.

Bishop Makarios was a much-beloved professor of religious studies at Alma
College who passed away in February 2008. In his 25 years at Alma, he introduced
students to Indian philosophy and culture and helped develop the Alma India
Program, which has a relationship with the Mathen Mappilai Memorial Public
School in the village of Ayroor in the state of Kerala.

Many Alma students have performed volunteer work at the school over the years.
In addition, the Bishop was a prelate of the Malankara Orthodox Church of India.
He was founder of the American Diocese and the first Metropolitan Bishop of
Canada, UK and Europe, and South Africa.

Following his passing, an Alma College campus committee selected Michigan artist
Mark Chatterley to create a campus sculpture that memorializes the Bishop's
impact on the faculty and students of Alma College.

"Mark Chatterley's figures have a very timeless, universal feeling to them,"
says Carrie Parks-Kirby, faculty artist and committee member. "Even though he
never knew or met the Bishop, he took our descriptions and came up with a
sculpture that is very fitting and descriptive of our former friend and
colleague."

The sculpture depicts a central figure with wings standing, arms raised and
palms together in a prayerful gesture. The wings, at close inspection, are made
up of figures that get progressively smaller.

"This beautiful work of art provides a fitting and enduring reminder of the
Bishop's legacy at Alma College, in his beloved church, and in the world
religious community," says Alma President Saundra Tracy.

"It's a beautiful image for a leader of a church and teacher who impacted so
many individuals," says Parks-Kirby. "The sculpture is not a likeness of the
Bishop but represents his spiritual wisdom, love and leadership of the people
around him."

The clay sculpture cast in bronze will be located at the center of the Alma
College campus along a sidewalk amidst a grove of evergreen trees.

Alma College is a selective liberal arts college committed to academic
excellence and development of responsible leaders. Alma's undergraduates thrive
on challenging academic programs in a supportive, small-college environment
emphasizing active, collaborative learning and close student-faculty
interaction. The College offers coursework in 28 majors, plus pre-professional
programs in law and medicine.

In addition to India, Alma College also offers international study and research
opportunities in Australia, Austria, Ecuador, England, Germany, Italy, New
Zealand, Peru and Scotland.

In Midwest America, only one other Indian leader has a dedicated public statue:
Mahatma Gandhi in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

CONTACT:
Mike Silverthorn, Director of Public Relations, Alma College, (989) 463-7327,
silverthorn@...