The Alumnae Courtyard was a campus beautification project completed in the fall of 2005. Funded by donations from former Alverno Alumnae Association board members and a generous lead gift from an anonymous college trustee, the former North Courtyard now provides a sanctuary for the college community and visitors. The photo above was take shortly after completion of the courtyard.
Four years after its construction, a “Peace Pole” was added in front of the courtyard's north garden. The Peace Pole is decorated with the saying “May Peace Prevail on Earth” written in English as well as French, Spanish, Hindi, Swahili, Korean, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Hmong, Arabic, and Ojibway. The languages were chosen to reflect the languages spoken by students on Campus at that time. The Peace Pole was dedicated on September 9, 2009.
This is a close-up of the sign found next to the Peace Pole.
"'May Peace Prevail on Earth' Peace Poles are erected worldwide as international symbols of peace. Alverno College 'Where All Belong.' Dedicated September 9, 2009. Pause for Peace."