Wildcat Family Sculpture
    The Artist
    The Foundry
    Finishing Touches

“We saw in the comparitively near future upon this commanding site, amid this magnificent panorama of nature’s handiwork, the tasteful, ornate, yet utilitarian edifices of the university; we saw its cool verandas, its broad porches, its silvery fountains, its shaded walks, its academic groves, its crowded halls and thoughtful students…”
— The Honorable
C. C. Stevens,
Old Main groundbreaking ceremony, Oct. 27, 1887

The above quote is engraved on the Wildcat Walk in Alumni Plaza

Alumni Plaza

University Mission Fountains … Wildcat Walk … Heritage Hill … Alma Mater Terraces … Krutch Cactus Garden … and a life-size version of The Wildcat Family bronze …

These elements are among the settings that are now a permanent tribute to our Wildcat Family. That is, anyone who has been or will be associated with our dynamic University.

Alumni Plaza is a beautiful gathering place in the heart of campus where visitors and members of the campus community can relax in beautiful surroundings and absorb the culture of our Wildcat Family.

The life-size bronze of the Wildcat Family, the UA Alumni Association’s gift to the University, is dedicated to President Peter Likins and his wife, Pat. This bronze was made possible by ten generous and vital members of the Tucson community.

Silvertone Alumni Plaza benches are scattered throughout the Plaza and are named by many committed UA alums. The Alumni Association will install sage green Plaza benches throughout the campus. See naming opportunities.

Be a permanent part of our heritage

Although Alumni Plaza is now completed, donors still have an opportunity to imprint their names or the names of family members or other people they care about or want to recognize in one of the most prominent places on campus. Naming opportunities range from $500 to $1 million.

Robert Walker photo of fireworks finale behind the Wildcat Family Sculpture at the dedication celebration at Alumni Plaza

In addition, individuals may help arrange visits with others who might wish to participate or suggest foundations that might help the effort.

To participate and be a part of Alumni Plaza, contact Diana Whitman at 520-621-4846 or 800-232-8278.

Alumni Plaza Dedication

Fireworks lighted the sky as the University of Arizona Alumni Association presented the Alumni Plaza and a special bronze sculpture to the university community during the Alumni Plaza Dedication Celebration, which kicked off the Homecoming weekend on Friday, October 29, 2004.

Dedicated to the “Wildcat Family,” the plaza, just south of the Administration Building, highlights the UA’s historical legacy and recognizes the contributions of alumni to the university.

One of the highlights of the dedication was the unveiling of the 14 feet tall bronze monument titled “The Wildcat Family” by sculptor Nicholas Wilson. The sculpture, the UA Alumni Association’s gift to the university, was dedicated to President Peter Likins and his wife, Pat.

The Alumni Plaza includes approximately 2 1/2 acres of open space with places to eat, meet, study, rest, contemplate, celebrate, or just enjoy the environment. The open-space project includes seating, shade, landscaping, recirculating fountains, and artistic elements. The Joseph Wood Krutch Cactus Garden has been preserved and given more space by replacing the asphalt that surrounded it with additional Sonoran Desert plants and seating.

In addition to the cactus garden and the Wildcat Family, one of the largest monuments on campus, the plaza includes Alumni Gate, Heritage Hill, the Alma Mater Terraces, the University Mission Fountains, and Wildcat Walk.

The fountains are dedicated to the UA mission: to discover, to educate, to serve, and to inspire. The Wildcat Walk includes bricks inscribed with historical facts about the UA, such as how the Bear Down, Arizona fight song came into being and specifics about Homecoming and Spring Fling, just to mention a few.

Alumni Plaza benches are scattered throughout the plaza. Especially designed for the plaza and the entire campus, the benches feature cutouts of the word “Arizona.” During the day, when the sun shines on the benches, a shadow of “Arizona” can be seen hitting the ground. The benches also work their magic on nights when the moon is bright.

The Alumni Plaza benches are a silver tone. The Alumni Association also will install sage green Alumni Plaza benches in public places all over campus. The colors chosen are historically significant since the university’s original colors were sage green and silver.

Alumni Plaza is just one way the Alumni Association will help ensure that our UA heritage and traditions never will be forgotten.

According to President Likins, “Alumni Plaza is not really about the place — it’s about feeling, commitment, and heritage. We’ve tried to create a place that will elicit those feelings. It’s all about building tradition.”