The Vincent Memorial with its bronze plaque bearing his likeness honors not only the man, but also the heights to which he took the university.
During his tenure as president from 1967-94, ASU’s enrollment more than doubled from 2,556 in 1967 to over 6,200 by 1994. By the time he had announced his impending retirement in 1995, he had served as ASU president for more than 26 years. But, while attending a board of regents meeting in Alpine in August 1994, he suffered a stroke and passed away. Dr. Vincent had literally given his life to and for ASU, and his passing truly marked the end of an era.
To honor his memory, members of the Ram Fam and the community raised funds for a memorial that was dedicated adjacent to the University Mall at Johnson Street. The sculpture was created by San Angelo College graduate and renowned artist, Lincoln Fox. “The Quest,” as Fox named the memorial, features an American eagle swooping over a stack of books and lifting a partially opened book skyward with his claw.
Said the sculptor, “It is through education that man is able to soar beyond the shackles of ignorance and misconception into a new life of freedom and accomplishment. It is the freeing of man’s imagination that allows his spirit to fly.”
The soaring eagle has a nine-foot wingspan and rests atop an obelisk that brings the monument’s height to 20 feet.