History of Tiger Plaza
The Mizzou Alumni Association would like to thank the alumni and friends of the university who marked their names in MU history as contributors to Tiger Plaza.
Designed as a meeting place for alumni, students, faculty, staff and visitors, Tiger Plaza symbolizes the pride Tigers feel in Mizzou. Helping alumni make a lifetime connection to campus is a vital role of the association and Tiger Plaza will serve as a symbol of that connection for years to come.
The Tiger statue was cast at a foundry in Colorado and trucked to Columbia. A layover in Lawrence, Kan. gave the Tiger a chance to scout his favorite prey: the Jayhawk.
The 1,200-pound Tiger was gently maneuvered into place by sculptor Forest Hart. Members of the Alumni Association Student Board spent a long rainy night guarding the wrapped Tiger before the dedication ceremony the following day, Oct. 25, 2002.
More than 450 alumni, students, faculty, staff and visitors crowded Tiger Plaza to get the first "official" glimpse of the statue and the Tiger Plaza contributors plaques. Members of the Tiger Plaza Planning Committee, artist Forest Hart and Homecoming Grand Marshal John Anderson unveiled the Tiger.
The dedication ceremony ended with members of AASB helping lead the singing of MU's Alma Mater. As visitors explored Tiger Plaza, they were treated to Bengal stripe cookies and warm cider. More than 2,200 alumni and friends of the university marked their names in MU history as contributors to Tiger Plaza.
How Tiger Plaza was built.
How the Tiger Plaza Tiger was made.