By: Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
It was a time for celebration at North Central State College Friday evening, as the school unveiled the first statue on the school’s campus.
Taking place at 5 p.m. at the Kehoe Center, the school unveiled a statue of Ralph Phillips, who was instrumental in bringing the old Shelby Mutual Building to the college.
Phillips’ Daughter Angela Phillips spoke about the statue’s unveiling.
“He was never big about recognition so it is kind of cool to see it after he passed away and that people still remember him and the things he did for the community and we continue to do. It is just an honor that he has been recognized this way and people want to remember him,” Phillips said.
After the unveiling those in attendance took the celebration inside to the Ralph Phillips Conference Center.
“It has been serendipitous for me personally because it was in I think 2000 when I had a conversation with Ralph, and this building had sat empty for six years. Ralph became aware that we were looking to expand and to find room,” North Central State College Chief Public Affairs Officer Betty Preston said. “When the statue came off it set me back it captures the grin. He was an incredible man with an incredible heart.”
The artist commissioned for the statue was Michigan artist Janice Trimpe. After being contacted in February for the project Trimpe finished the sculpture in June where it was then sent to Clarkston Michigan for bronzing.