LTCC Unveils Coyote Legacy Plaza, Bronze Mascot Statue
June 26, 2018
The Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation hosted a special invite-only celebration on Monday, June 25, to unveil the crowning
piece of the college’s new Legacy Plaza: a bronze coyote statue that serves as an
on-campus gathering place and photo backdrop for special campus occasions for years
to come, and brings some more much-needed public art to the South Shore community.
The mascot statue stands at the center of the new plaza, located between the college’s Physical Education building and synthetic turf soccer field, surrounded by engraved paver stones purchased by generous donors. The sale of the pavers covered the full cost of the bronze statue, with all donations above that amount going towards the LTCC Foundation in support of student scholarships, the Lake Tahoe College Promise of a tuition-free year of college for first-time California resident college students, and academic programs at LTCC.
LTCC Superintendent/President Jeff DeFranco said, “This statue and plaza will serve many generations of future LTCC Coyotes, providing a fun meeting place and a go-to location for selfies and graduation family photos. It’s also a serious piece of public art, which is something our whole community can take pride in.”
LTCC Foundation Board President Bob Novasel, who purchased one of the custom engraved paver stones surrounding the statue, added, “This will be a special lasting legacy for the college. It’s nice to show to our community in a visible way that we’re 100 percent behind this college and its students.”
The statue was created by fine art gallery and bronze foundry owner Ronnie Frostad. Working with a number of people at LTCC, Frostad came up with the design and brought it to life in bronze. “This is no small, scrawny, Southwestern coyote,” said Frostad. “The college made it clear they wanted a true representation of a healthy Sierra Nevada coyote in its natural state, which their mascot design also captures.”
Frostad’s Frostad Atelier Foundry opened for business in Rocklin, CA, in 1998, one of the few bronze foundries in the country owned and operated by a woman. She opened a new, state-of-the-art foundry and art gallery in downtown Sacramento last year.
There is still space in the Coyote Legacy Plaza for more engraved pavers for individuals and businesses who wish to donate in support of LTCC student scholarships and academic programs. Custom-engraved bricks are available for $250 (6” x 6” paver), $1,000 (6” x 12” paver), and for $2,500 (12” x 12” paver). The engraved paver messages can be used to commemorate families, graduating students, or a favorite faculty member or employee. To secure yours, please contact the LTCC Foundation at (530) 541-4660 ext. 245.