Pioneer alumni return for Cowell fountain celebration

The eight-foot-high abstract Cowell Fountain, also known as the Edna L. Scott Fountain is the earliest artwork on the UCSC campus. 

Nostalgia will reign at Cowell College on February 26, when pioneer alumni, emeriti faculty, students and Friends of Cowell gather, as in 1966, to celebrate the work of Berkeley artist Nancy Genn with a re-enactment of the original fountain dedication. Genn designed the Cowell Fountain and an exhibition of her work , “The Shape of Water” , in the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery at 2 PM kicks off the day’s events.

In 1966, the dedication ceremony was presided over by Page Smith, Cowell’s first Provost and founding father; this time around, Cowell’s current Provost, Faye Crosby, will lead a joyous procession from the Gallery to the Fountain at 3 PM where attendees will be treated to the fanfare of that first ceremony.

 As in the original celebration there will be trumpeters and banner-waving celebrants — along with a reunion performance of the original Cowell Madrigal singers, once again directed by Paul Rabwin (Cowell '70), who has gone on to be a multiple Emmy-award nominee and Golden Globe–winning television producer. Gary Young, Santa Cruz Poet Laureate, will read “The Fountain Poem”, by James Biffle (Cowell ’66). Cowell’s current a Capella group, “Acquire”, will also perform.

The eight-foot-high abstract Cowell Fountain, also known as the Edna L. Scott Fountain is the earliest artwork on the UCSC campus. The gift of two anonymous donors, it honors the 4th grade Mission Hill teacher and a descendent of the Scott family, founders of Scotts Valley.  The fountain also has a special significance. In the early days it was a meeting place for Cowell student “pioneers”, who were among UCSC’s first graduates.

Nancy Genn was present at the original dedication and will return to Cowell for the event. She is an internationally known abstract painter and sculptor who spent two years creating the fountain's centerpiece made from hand-finished cast bronze.  Its abstract form was inspired by nature.

Also on view in Cowell’s Smith Gallery, February 26 – March 11, will be the work of Philosophy Professor Emeritus, Paul Kashup, a founding member of the Cowell College Faculty. Kashup will be exhibiting his sculptures in his exhibit “Contemplation the Female Form.”

Celebrants will adjourn to Page Smith Library after the ceremony for conviviality and conversation with old classmates and professors.