Mason Gross Memorial

The Mason Gross Memorial

5’ x 3’ bronze
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

The Mason Gross Memorial—the 25th year reunion gift of the Class of 1968—celebrates the life of one of the most widely respected, admired, and popular presidents in the university’s history. The memorial serves as a permanent tribute to Mason Welch Gross, 16th Rutgers president, keeping his legacy in the hearts, minds, and view of the Rutgers community.

The memorial alcove with the impressive bronze bas-relief sculpted by Jay became a campus landmark soon after its construction in the fall of 1994. The inscription comes from the late Rutgers President Mason Welch Gross’s 1959 Inaugural Address:

“I can think of no words in the English language more beautiful than the words ‘a free spirit’ … It must always be the ultimate aim of this university to provide the atmosphere and the intellectual conditions by which alone the free spirit can survive.”

See a video of the 10/9/1994 dedication of the monument here.