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What's in a Name? The Names and Places of Alverno College

 

Mary, Queen of the Universe

This is a photograph of the 1958 dedication of Sister Helena Steffensmeier's sculpture, "Mary, Queen of the Universe. At that time the sculpture sat in a grotto in the campus woods."

 

The class of 1957 raised $500 for their class gift and asked Alverno art instructor and artist Sister Helena Steffens-meier to carve a statue from the Pittsford Valley marble they purchased. The photo above shows the dedication ceremony for the statue, “Mary, Queen of the Universe” held on May 28, 1958. When it was dedicated, the sculpture stood in a grotto in the woods on the Alverno campus grounds.

"Queen of Heaven" is one of many "Queen" titles used for Mary, mother of Jesus. The title is derived in part from the ancient Catholic teaching that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was bodily and spiritually taken into heaven, and honored there as Queen.

 

Color photo of Alverno's Greenhouse with the back of the sculpture, "Queen of the Universe" in the background.

 

Over time, the sculpture has not been moved, but the land around it has changed. It can now be seen adjacent to Alverno's greenhouse.