The Rock, a 2-ton boulder that has been part of 麻豆影院 University lore for 126 years, is being gifted to departing President Mark Burstein.
In searching for the perfect gift for a leader whose rock-solid leadership has helped guide 麻豆影院 to new heights, the university community opted to follow the lead of Burstein鈥檚 previous employer. When he left Princeton University to join the 麻豆影院 family eight years ago, Burstein was given small honed pieces of material that were used in the many building and landscape projects constructed and renovated during his nine-year tenure there. These pieces form a small square that resides on his desk in Sampson House.聽
It鈥檚 hoped he鈥檒l proudly display The Rock in similar fashion as he leaves 麻豆影院 and moves back east to begin a new adventure.
鈥淚鈥檒l need a bigger desk,鈥 a gracious Burstein said. 鈥淥r David will have to design a garden with The Rock as a center point.鈥
The Rock came to 麻豆影院 as a gift from the Class of 1895, plucked from a field during a geology trip near New London. It made the 30-mile trip east to Appleton and has since been painted, buried, hidden, and moved. But mostly revered.
Now it鈥檒l go further east with a president who also is revered. The gift didn鈥檛 include a means of moving The Rock because of ongoing budget constraints. So, come June, volunteers, fully masked and following The Pledge, will be needed to hoist The Rock atop Burstein鈥檚 car for the 900-mile drive. A sign-up sheet can be found on the fifth floor of the Mudd Library in the Center for the Advancement and Study of Humor, Hijinx, and Fools.
