Did you know? Bronze Azul bench celebrates five years

Did You Know? - Bronze Azul bench celebrates five years

September 03, 2024

A campus landmark, the bronze Azul bench was first revealed Sept. 12, 2019, at a joyous celebration outside the Cohen Student Union. The bronze statue on a steel bench has been one of FGCU’s most photographed locations since its unveiling.

Wearing a blue and white button-down shirt, black pants, black open toe shoes and a watch on her left wrist, Kimberly Wallace, senior director of Alumni Relations, is sitting on a bronze bench with a bronze statue of FGCU’s mascot Azul. The bench is placed in front of a green and blue gradient wall and on top of octagon shaped outdoor tile.

Azul bench with Kimberly Wallace, senior director of Alumni Relations.

A partnership between Student Government and Alumni Relations, “the bench signifies tradition at FGCU,” said Kimberly Wallace, senior director of Alumni Relations. The bench was constructed by Utah sculptor Virgil Oertle, whose resume includes several mascot benches at colleges and universities across the country.

The sculpture, which weighs nearly 800 pounds between the statue and bench, is located at the Alumni Legacy Plaza and took roughly four months to construct, according to Oertle.

Plans to rehome the Azul bench are taking place as construction is underway in the Cohen Student Union.