On April 12, a new landmark was introduced to campus. “Glory,” a large woodcarving of an American bison, now sits in the Benson Auditorium lobby. It was carved in 2010 by artist Tim Hogan on a ranch in Fort Worth, Texas. According to Hogan, he spent several months planning the carving before beginning to work on it for the next five months.
“I worked on him for five months on my own time,” Hogan said. “I took it at my own pace.”
The carving is made from five separate oak trees that had been damaged and had fallen during storms. Hogan named the bison “Glory” after reading Psalm 29, which reads: “The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty … the voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his temple, everyone shouts, ‘Glory.'”
The carving was not originally intended for Harding University. According to Hogan, he has shown it at rodeo shows and exhibitions across the western United States. It was initiated as a way to pay homage to the role the American bison played in the western United States during American expansion and before, according to Hogan.
“The American bison supported the people of the west, both settlers and the Native Americans,” Hogan said. “He was the high plains’ manna from God.”
Hogan said it is sad that the only monument to the role of the American bison is a depiction on the back of a nickel. The individual bison that was the model for the nickel spent much of his life in cages and belonged to the Barnum & Bailey circus, according to Hogan.
“If you look at the back of the nickel, he’s hanging his head, like he’s defeated,” Hogan said. “I wanted to create something stronger and more appropriate for him.”
Liz Howell, alumni relations director and coordinator of the Associated Women for Harding, said she was first approached about the carving by Harding alumnus Terry Beck, a friend of Hogan. Beck realized how impressive the piece was and thought Harding would be an appropriate home, Howell said. When she heard the name of the carving was “Glory,” she knew Harding could use the carving as an encouragement to do everything to God’s glory, Howell said.
“I knew he was supposed to be here,” Howell said. “He is such a masterpiece.”
Howell said at first, the price of the carving was out of reach for Harding. She discussed the price with Hogan, however, and after mentioning the carving to a few people around Harding, the Paul R. Carter family offered to purchase and donate the carving to the university in honor of President Dr. David B. Burks, according to Provost Larry Long.
Hogan and his wife visited campus when the carving was first installed and are visiting again this weekend. A video showing parts of the process of creating the carving can be found on Hogan’s website, www.hoganlonghorns.com.
