The Student

In 1940, Sterling Cook was an assistant in the Art Department, and a graduate student at North Texas State Teachers College. In a class under the direction of Dr. Louis Hoover of the Art Department faculty, he created a striking figure of a male student semi-reclining with an open book by his side. The sculpture, approximately eight feet tall with its base, and fifteen tons in weight, was created for placement in the courtyard of Chilton Hall men's dormitory. The impressive work stood there for approximately twenty-nine years as a favorite gathering place for many students. It also served as a popular background for photographs as well as a gentle reminder to students to study and learn. Across the years, the sculpture had many names given to it by the residents of Chilton Hall and the other students of the College. The one name that endured was "The Student."

With the passing of time, it became very difficult to keep the sculpture free of graffiti and creative painting. Reportedly because of that, a quiet and unannounced burial took place circa 1969 during the time that a new parking lot behind Chilton Hall was being planned. Only the "burial party" was aware of the event and the disappearance was not discovered until sometime later.

In 1989, Chilton Hall was renovated and an addition was added in the courtyard area. When the new construction began, the sculpture, broken in several pieces, was uncovered. Each piece was gently removed to a storage facility to await appraisals from professionals on how, and if, it might be restored. Proposals were sought through the efforts of Mr. Ray McFarlane, Director of Physical Plant and Facilities Planning, and Mr. Lindsay Keffer, Assistant Director, University Union, (also a North Texas graduate and former resident of Chilton Hall. Mr. Larry Gentry, a graduate student of the University, submitted several designs, and completed the work that you see here today. Thus, it is that "The Student" lives on and serves as a pleasant point of memory for thousands of alumni who would quickly say: