Published November 11, 2016
MONROE, La. — The University of Louisiana Monroe held a ribbon cutting Friday for
the renovation of the fountain and grounds in the Mayme and Tom Scott Plaza.
The fountain underwent a major renovation over the summer. The now three-tier fountain
is equipped with year-round lighting packages, and the ground area around the fountain
has been improved with exposed aggregate with inscribed granite inlays, brick bench
seating, new landscaping, lighting and more.
The old fountain had not been in operation for over a year due to mechanical problems.
“The mechanical components for the old fountain was located underground, which caused
a lot of issues. We’ve now moved the mechanical components, such as the pumps, to
a more functional place above ground,” said Michael Davis, ULM Facilities Planning
Officer.
The above-ground pump was placed within a fenced enclosure, which will be concealed
by Japanese Yew vines and shrubbery.
Scott Plaza was dedicated on Nov. 12, 2001 in honor of Mayme and Tom Scott. Tom Scott
was a founding member of the ULM Foundation and later a charter member of the Northeast
Louisiana Land Corporation, an entity that played an integral role in the expansion
of the university’s campus. Through their generosity over the period of four decades,
the Scotts were instrumental in the growth and progress of ULM.
“This fountain is more than just a beautiful piece of architecture that graces our
campus,” said ULM president Dr. Nick. J. Bruno. “It’s a permanent tribute to Mayme
and Tom Scott who were so gracious and generous, not just to this university, but
throughout the northeast Louisiana region. And while I didn’t have the opportunity
to meet them, all the stories, no matter where I went, indicated how gracious, how
loving, how generous, and how caring they were.”
The daughter of Mayme and Tom Scott, Betty Scott Cummins, expressed her appreciation
of the renovation.
“I appreciate this opportunity to thank Dr. Bruno and all the staff out here that
have pursued this for years now. We didn’t do the whole job. The students on this
campus contributed a huge part of this restoration. I compliment them for buying into
it and for wanting it…They matched what we did and that’s remarkable to me. We appreciate
this and I’m so glad the fountain is running.”
Cummins also thanked the Scott Foundation and recognized members of the board who
were in attendance.
The ULM Student Government Association president Kaitlin Neal Arnett spoke on behalf
of the student body, expressing the students’ excitement over the renovations and
its improvement of the campus’ beauty.
