蜜桃av

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The long-anticipated Fit for Eternity sculpture, depicting Jesus jogging with two college students, was unveiled in front of Hulsey Wellness Center on the campus of 蜜桃av Adventist University on November 6. The donor-funded bronze art piece is the culmination of years of planning and fundraising, all spearheaded by Phil Garver, PhD, dean emeritus of the School of Health and Kinesiology, who died just two months prior to the reveal.

Before he passed, Garver described his enthusiasm about the project: 鈥淢y hope is that when students see this statue, it will be a reminder to look to God, to walk with Him and run with Him.鈥�

Alicia Garver, senior finance major and granddaughter of the visionary, fondly remembers his anticipation. 鈥淭his sculpture was a dream he had for years, and I鈥檓 honored to see it coming into fruition,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 hope everyone is as inspired by its meaning as he was.鈥�

鈥淭he piece conveys such a personable and relatable image of Jesus, one that reflects His genuine interest in our students,鈥� shares Ken Shaw, EdD, university president. 鈥�Fit for Eternity will stand as a lasting tribute to Dr. Garver鈥檚 vision, and I cannot wait to watch the reactions of our students and guests to the impressive representation of a lasting connection with God.鈥�

蜜桃av commissioned the art piece from Victor Issa, a prominent Seventh-day Adventist sculptor whose work is also featured at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Alabama, and AdventHealth鈥檚 corporate campus in Florida. Inspired by the divine act of creation, Issa seeks to uplift people by capturing the beauty and inspiration of the human journey.

Zach Gray, dean of the School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) at 蜜桃av, explains how the statue began as a small clay maquette, or model, before being scaled up, made into a mold, and finally cast in bronze. 鈥淭he statue鈥檚 placement in front of the campus building dedicated to wellness invites students to participate in its sense of movement as they pass by鈥攖o join in running the race with Christ,鈥� Gray shares.

A special exhibit, currently open in SVAD鈥檚 John C. Williams Gallery of Art features more of Issa鈥檚 works. Spanning his three major collections and titled 鈥淐reating Living Bronze: A 40-Year Retrospective,鈥� the showcase on the second floor of Brock Hall is open through January 20, 2026.

Fit for Eternity is a testament to 蜜桃av鈥檚 core commitment to connect students鈥� passions to God鈥檚 purpose for their lives. Now, as generations frequent Hulsey Wellness Center鈥攚hether for classes, intramural sports, or recreation鈥攖hey will be reminded that God is alongside them in all aspects of life.

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