“The quality of the Stinger Statue is another indicator of Cedarville’s attention to detail and how we strive for quality in everything we do,” said president Thomas White. “We envision generations of students taking their photos in front of the Stinger statue and enjoying the beauty of that entry plaza as they arrive for a visit or meet up with friends.”
The eight-foot stainless steel statue was handcrafted by artist Alberto Lopez and donated by Daniel Petek, president of Castek Aluminum and a member of the university’s board of trustees, and his family.
“Cedarville University exudes excellence ... Everything on its campus is beautiful and is crafted with such a commitment to quality. As a result, we wanted to design a statue that is reflective of Cedarville’s excellence and the quality craftsmanship of our team,” Petek said. “The reason I chose to donate this statue is the same reason I’ve served as a trustee for so long: I believe in Cedarville’s work to transform and renew the next generation and wanted this statue to shine as a symbol of that excellence.”
The development of the statue took two and a half years from the initial agreement to its shipment to the university. It is made from Steel 316, the same special type of stainless steel used to craft the Cloud Gate, more commonly known as “the Bean,” in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
“Alberto has an amazing artistic eye and an ability to build something out of nothing; that comes from years of experience building custom vehicles in Puerto Rico,” Petek said. “He has such a gift shaping metal; it was mesmerizing to watch him give life to a three-dimensional craft from a logo that has always been two-dimensional.”
White said officials are grateful to the Petek family for their generosity in creating this new “focal point for our beautiful campus.”
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