Ring of Life

Pictured from the northwest in 1942, from the south in 1964, and from the same directions in 2017.

In the 1942 archive photo, Catt Hall lies in the background (then called Botany Hall). 

In the modern photo, Catt Hall is obstructed by trees. The Palmer building has since been built and lies north of Catt Hall (on the left in this photo.)

In the 1964 archive photo, MacKay Hall lies in the background. Students are entering the doors on the right.

In the modern photo, banners are hanging at the entrance of the building.

The Ring of Life Fountain was built in 1942, and was at first called The Marriage Ring.

The fountain, originally made out of terra cotta, has since been reproduced in concrete. The original sculpture lies in the vestibule of MacKay Hall to be protected from damage. The fountain was created by Christian Petersen.

Petersen was the resident sculptor for Iowa State during and after the Great Depression. Petersen has created many of the works on campus, including the Fountain of Four Seasons in front of the Memorial Union and the Gentle Doctor in front of Veterinary Medicine Building, among others.

Petersen was born in 1885 in Dybol, Denmark. He moved to America in 1894, and started attending the Newark Technical School six years later. After attending several schools, he ended up die-cutting in Attleboro, Massachusetts. 

While working in Iowa since the 1920s, Petersen was first commissioned at Iowa State College in 1935 to do reliefs, a sculptural technique, on the Dairy Science Building, and was promoted to “sculptor-in-residence” one year later. In 1955 he became an associate professor.

Petersen died of cancer in 1961.

The Christian Petersen Art Museum opened in the basement of Morrill Hall after its renovation in 2007. It showcases primarily works by Christian Petersen, but also has other rotating displays.