EVOLUTION OF THE EAGLE

Centennial Eagle sculpture becomes new campus focal point

While Morehead State has several iconic landmarks and structures, a new creative campus focal point now truly soars.

MSU added the bronze Centennial Eagle to the Adron Doran University Commons area in a special dedication ceremony for students, alumni, and the surrounding community during the 2023 Homecoming weekend this past November.

MSU alum Ronald “Ron” Cartee (Class of 1965) and the Cartee family provided a special gift for creating the sculpture recognizing the University’s 100 years as a public institution in Kentucky. MSU commissioned world-renowned artist Sam McKinney (Class of 1973, 1992) to craft a bronze Eagle honoring MSU’s mascot and the school’s commitment to helping students soar higher.

“It’s just so rewarding to finally have a piece there,” McKinney said. “It’s going to be there long after I’m gone and hopefully appreciated by new generations.”

McKinney, a sought-after artist in multiple media, has work displayed across the country and in several parts of the world. He said having a part of his artistic legacy in the place where he realized his creative potential is something special.

The sculpture, which weighs 1,800 pounds and has a 12-foot wingspan, went through a multiphase process from conception to completion over a year. Before he began the first sketches, he already knew what he had in mind. “I had to have that type of flight where it’s coming in on its prey,” he said. “I think that’s a dynamic pose, too, because the talons are all stretched out. The head is coming in looking, beamed in on what it’s after. That was the first thing that came to my mind when I was asked. It just came to me automatically. I didn’t have to think about it.”

The generosity of the Cartee family made the sculpture possible. Ron also made frequent visits to McKinney’s studio, supporting the creation.

First, McKinney had to build an armature out of steel before applying clay, and the eagle started to take shape. For the feathers, he utilized metal rods for the big feathers and toothpicks and skewers for the smaller ones.

The next step included clay sculpture. He divided the model into 11 pieces, applied a two-part liquid rubber over the clay, and then applied plaster over the top creating molds to send to the foundry.

When the pieces returned from the foundry, McKinney blacksmithed (or "heat and beat," as he calls it) to make them fit. He welded them together, cleaned the welds, and created a tool to help carve striations into each feather.

Eagle legacy

The McKinney/Prince families have a lasting legacy at MSU as alumni. Sam McKinney (Class of 1973), Ingrid Prince McKinney (Class of 1980), and their daughter, Jasarae McKinney (Class of 2021) are proud Eagles. Ingrid retired from MSU in January 2023.

Jasarae attends the University of Kentucky Medical School. Her great-grandfather, John Crisp (Class of 1929), her grandmother, Delma Crisp Prince (Class of 1963) and her aunt, Paula Prince (Class of 1972) are also Eagles.