story and photography
by Summer Herndon
Planted on the University Mall located directly across from Founders Hall, the new Peace Pole, which symbolizes peace around the world, was dedicated to the University of La Verne on March 26.
The ceremony took place during the International Celebration week, sponsored by Protestant and Catholic Campus Ministries and the Peace Studies Program.
Students, faculty and staff were invited to join the celebration and listen to speakers, such as Eldridge Cleaver, President Stephen Morgan and Gloria Morrow, associate professor of behavioral science, who sang at the event. Those who attended the ceremony joined Morrow in singing “Love In Any Language.”
The Peace Pole is a handcrafted monument inscribed with the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in English, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, Japanese, Serbo-Croatian, Swahili and Chumash. The message comes from a quoted section from Nelson Mandela’s inaugural Address, which was read aloud by those who participated in observing the dedication ceremony.
The pole is one of about 150,000 Peace Poles located around the world. Manufactured by Peace Pole Makers USA, the Peace Pole is also found on the grounds of the Churches of the Brethren in La Verne and Pomona.
