Fountain and Plaza Celebrated at Homecoming

Members of the Truman community look on as President Sue Thomas cuts the ribbon for the new plaza.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Sandra K. Giachino Reavey Sesquicentennial Plaza took place Oct. 19 during Homecoming weekend.

Thanks to gifts from many generous donors through a plaza campaign, including a brick campaign, the entire Student Union Plaza received a makeover. The new fountain and surrounding area were named after Reavey, following a donation from her estate and the success of Truman’s 150th anniversary brick campaign.

Reavey was a Kirksville native and 1962 graduate of Truman. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business education. In addition to the plaza naming gift, she also established the Sandra K. Giachino Reavey Scholarship to support Kirksville High School graduates who are majoring in business at Truman. Reavey passed away in January 2018.

The plaza features inscribed bricks and pavers that were donated through the Sesquicentennial campaign. The Brick Lookup Tool can be used to pinpoint the section where bricks or pavers are located on the plaza.

Art major Wesley Scafe created the purple scissors used at the ribbon cutting. They will also be used for future Truman ribbon cuttings.