(Le Mars) — A new sculpture is located on the grounds of the former Westmar College, near Veterans Memorial Park. It is a flying eagle in honor of the college that once educated thousands of students. The eagle was the brainchild of Al Mazer. Mazer organized a group to discuss the feasibility of erecting an
eagle sculpture. Barb Wernli-Collins, who is a direct descendant of Jacob Wernli, the founder of Western-Union and later Westmar College wanted to be included with the organization. Barb says she remembers family members would talk fondly about Jacob Wernli at family picnics and family reunions.
Barb is a 1973 graduate of Westmar College, and has fond memories of the former college.
The eagle sculpture is to be dedicated in honor of Jacob Wernli, since the former dormitory hall named after Wernli has been torn down. Barb Collins says others would ask her why there wasn’t something in place recognizing the efforts
of Jacob Wernli.
Barb Collins says her great-grandfather used his own funds to build what would later be known as Westmar College. Barb and Steve Collins say the entire appearance of the eagle was left to local sculptor Terry Utesch.
Both Barb and Steve Collins say they are pleased with the final appearance of the eagle sculpture, and they believe it will help draw additional tourism to the city of Le Mars. Steve Collins says a majority of the donations came from past Westmar alumni.
Steve Collins wants to remind others that this was a local project with people from Le Mars serving on the committee, and the sculpture being created by Le Mars resident Terry Utesch, and Gus Pech serving as the place to construct and
create the eagle sculpture.
The sculpture weighs more than 1,400 pounds. The eagle’s dimensions include a wing-span of 14 feet, and measures five feet tall from talon to wingtip. Steve Collins says there are more than 4,000 individual steel feathers that make up
the sculpture. Next to the eagle is a small park with benches. There is a “W” within the bricks beneath the eagle sculpture to indicate the connection to Westmar College. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 10th at
4:00 p.m. The small park will now be known as Wernli Plaza in honor of the college’s founder Jacob Wernli.
