Transformation at Cedarville University goes beyond its campus, it centers on the lives of students who attend and graduate. Knowing its graduates are making a kingdom impact in their lives is central to the mission of Cedarville.

At the same time, Cedarville isin the midst ofa campus transformation with the opening of the $40 million Scharnberg Business and Communication Center and the Pamela Diehl Johnson and Murray Murdochresidence hall that will house348 students.Both facilities opened inAugust.

On Wednesday, July 10, the university installed a statue of its athletic mascot, Stinger, on the plaza between theScharnbergBusiness and Communication Center and the Stevens Student Center. This new landmark is expected to bea welcoming spot for guestsand the campus community—and a location for many campus photos.

The nine-foot stainless steel statuewas donated by Daniel Petek, president of Castek Aluminum, and his family. Alberto Lopez, an employee at Castek is the artist responsible for crafting the statue.

Petek believes the Stinger statue, handcrafted by Lopez, signifiesCedarville’scommitment to excellence. This qualitywas the inspiration for craftingthe statue.

“The quality of the Stinger Statueis another indicator ofCedarville’s attention to detail andhowwe strive forqualityineverything we do,” said Dr. Thomas White, president of Cedarville University.“Weenvision generations of studentstaking their photosin front of the Stinger statueand enjoying the beauty of that entry plazaas they arrive for a visit or meet up with friends. We aresograteful to the Petek family fortheir generosity in creating this new focal point forourbeautifulcampus.”

The development of the Stinger statue took two and a half years from theinitialagreement to its shipment to Cedarville. The handcrafted, stainless-steel Stinger 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. The material of both structures allows the steel to remain impervious to rust andretaina bright, reflective shine.

“Cedarville Universityexudes excellence,” said Petek, who also serves on the university’sboard oftrustees. “Everything on its campus isbeautifulandis crafted with such a commitment to quality.As a result,we wanted todesign a statue that is reflective of Cedarville’s excellence and the quality craftsmanship of our team.”

In crafting the statue, Lopez gained his inspiration from Cedarville’s long-standingcommitment to quality.

“Albertohas 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,” said Petek. “He has such a gift shapingmetal;it was mesmerizing to watch him give life to a three-dimensional craft from a logo that has always been two-dimensional.”

After hundreds of hours of work from Petek, Lopez and many more employees at Castek, Petekremainsadamant that the greatest accomplishment from the statueis notfrom him or any of hisemployees butfrom the school that the statue aims torepresent.

“You don’t have to look far to seethedangerousshiftofcultureinour worldtoday,and I look at Cedarville as one of the few bastions of hope and change for our culture,” said Petek. “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.”