By Tejal Patel

The University formally awarded the winner for the “Person of Color” sculpture contest.

The winning sculpture, located in front of the Monroe Lecture Center, is “Frederick Douglass Circle” by Vinnie Bagwell. For $185,000, the contest asked artists for a piece that represented the history, achievement and aspirations of people of color, said Bagwell.

University President, Stuart Rabinowitz said students chose “Frederick Douglass Circle” in overwhelming numbers.

A dedication and award ceremony that was to be held outside in the Monroe courtyard was instead held inside the lecture center due to inclement weather Wednesday afternoon.

The idea of having a sculpture that represents people of color began with the student body, said Rabinowitz, adding that students said the sculptures on campus do not reflect diversity and the University’s commitment to diversity.

“A dedicated group of students came up with their own idea about their own group,” Rabinowitz said.

A committee of 13 faculty and staff and six students was put in charge of choosing artists for the competition. Of the 26 submissions, they narrowed it down to five. Maquettes of the five proposed statues were put in the David Filderman Gallery on the 9th floor of the Axinn Library where the University community was invited to vote on which one they liked best.

“We are thrilled and proud to have this piece on campus,” said Beth Levinthal, director of the Hofstra University Museum.

Levinthal said the committee had another place in mind for the statue, but realized the current location was much better. “It allows students, faculty and visitors to see the statue and is a constant location for interaction.”

People will walk by and be drawn to the statue and think about it at least for a minute afterwards, said Bagwell, who, after seeing a void of diversity in public places made it her mission to change that. “It is a discussion that must go on.”