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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Former President George and First Lady Barbara Bush attend UNE dedication of a statue of the 41st president

Former President George H.W. and Barbara Bush attended a dedication of a statue of the president installed and unveiled at the University of New England's George and Barbara Bush Center on Sept. 17, 2009.

The nine-foot-tall marble sculpture of the 41st President of the United States is carved from a block of Colorado Yule marble - the same marble used in the Lincoln Memorial.

The sculpture is on loan by artist John Andelin of Williston, N.D, a self-taught sculptor who is also a practicing hospital-based pathologist.

UNE Vice President for Institutional Advancement Harley Knowles and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jacque Carter welcomed the former president, first lady and guests.

Following the unveiling of the statue, President Bush told the gathering that "I am very happy to have this statue here at the Center, which we are going to use more and more, at this campus that we really admire and respect. And it has this nice dock where I can bring my boat. It was a bit choppy out there today." The president arrived at the ceremony by water although Mrs. Bush arrived by land.

Dr. Andelin believes his training in science and anatomy have added a unique perspective to his art: "I have learned that the most revered figurative sculpture is not a precise duplication of reality.  Rather, it is a blend of realism and idealism.  In creating sculptures, my goal is always to idealize human values."

Andelin explained to the media afterward, "My intent with this sculpture was to convey optimism, a trait I admire in President Bush.  That, together with his leadership and his family values, are traits that inspired me to create this work in his honor."

The statue is installed at the top landing of the Bush Center stairway, with the statue facing the inscription on a wall: "CAVU: Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited."

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.