A dazzling steel sculpture donated by alumnus Jeff Brugos has been unveiled on campus to inspire creativity and innovation among students at the nation’s top undergraduate science, engineering, and mathematics college.

The 9-foot-tall Aspirations sculpture is a focal point of the renovated Root Quad, a main thoroughfare for students, faculty, staff, and visitors walking between academic buildings on campus.

“My lifelong love of art has always been a source of inspiration, much like my time at Rose-Hulman,” said Brugos, a 1966 electrical engineering graduate. “Rose-Hulman is a transformational place. The education and experiences I gained here profoundly shaped my career and personal life. It feels only right to show my appreciation by contributing this sculpture to a place that has meant so much to me.”

The sculpture was unveiled during a special campus event on Thursday, October 3, that celebrated the grand opening of the renovated Root Quad as part of Rose-Hulman’s Homecoming festivities. The more than a yearlong project has improved convenience, accessibility, and resourcefulness in the center of campus. New sidewalks have provided flat, accessible pathways to campus buildings. There’s also new seating along a central pathway, new concourses near entrances to Moench Hall, Hadley Hall, and Logan Library, and additional lighting, trees, and landscaping throughout the area.

“Jeff’s donation of the Aspirations sculpture has brought new life and splendor to a signature campus landmark,” said President Robert A. Coons. He noted that the quad was originally dedicated on October 8, 1986, after businessman Chapman Root and his wife, Susan, made a significant donation to support a campus academic building renovation project.

“We’re thankful for the support and loyalty that Jeff and other alumni have shown to help us have a campus that’s a canvas for innovation and creativity,” Coons said.

Adorned on top of a concrete base, Aspirations highlights the endearing properties of stainless steel and invokes the viewer’s imagination for inspiration or great healing and thoughtfulness, according to its creator, Scottsdale, Arizona-based artist Ryan Schmidt. He specializes in steel sculptures that focus on the triangular relationships of sweeping arcs and curves, capturing the reflections of the surrounding landscapes and catching the sun, clouds, and movement around them to bring new discoveries every day.

Brugos has over 40 years of experience leading high-tech industries, including those specializing in electrical components, semiconductors, and communications. He served as vice president of business development with Oracle. Other executive positions he held include senior vice president and general manager with i2 Technologies and partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he led numerous consulting business units, including some globally.