The statue was donated by Dr. Maynard Anderson and family. Anderson, professor emeritus of music, taught at Wartburg from 1958 until retirement in 1991. During his time at Wartburg he taught music, voice and art courses. He also supervised the Wartburg music education program. After retirement he continued to teach humanities part-time. His late wife Doris was also a contributor to the Wartburg campus as she always went on the various music tours he attended. The Anderson's traveled often. As their love for art and music grew; the more places they went. Doris taught elementary music in the Waverly-Shell Rock, Tripoli and St. Paul's Lutheran Schools for 30 years until her death in 1991. She also served as a supervisor for many Wartburg music majors.

The Andersons wanted to give a gift to the Wartburg campus and believed art was the best gift. Their goal was to create a work that would be a part of the campus, yet move it in a different direction. They also wanted the piece to be an original creation. This led Anderson to work together with Professor Arthur Frick.

Frick, professor emeritus of art, spent many years at Wartburg developing and revising the art curriculum. He created a new bachelor of arts major and accreditation of the art education major. Frick came to Wartburg in 1976 and retired in 1994. During this time, he served as chairman of the Department of Art. He taught classes in jewelry, weaving, textile design, furniture design, painting, and ceramic sculpture. He has sculptures across the United States, overseas, and now on the Wartburg campus.

When Anderson contacted his former colleague Frick, he told him that the interest was in an abstraction and brought him photos that were close to his idea. Together they brainstormed about the main idea of the statue and came up with a direction based on the religious affiliation with the college.

As Frick began to design the sculpture, he hung a sign in his studio that read "Aspiration , Transcendence, Openness of the Soul" and kept these things in mind as he worked diligently on the design. Frick was also concerned with the fact that the library wasn't completed as he was designing the structure because the placement of the sculpture in front of the building was as important to the design of the sculpture as the art itself. When Frick had a collection of designs he took them to Anderson who chose the design. The design then had to be modified for funds and materials available. Stainless steel was chosen as the best material for the statement of the piece. The design had to be made to an exact scale so there was little waste, as stainless steel is expensive.

The huge plates of steel were sent with the drawings and model to a precision cutter in Peru, Illinois. The choice of fabricators was important and Frick chose the one by credentials and best understanding of the design. The steel then traveled to Cedar Falls to be welded and assembled.

The work was then placed on the pedestal at Wartburg that was designed by Frick to compliment it. Frick reports that the tedious job of placing the sculpture was as much of an art as was designing it. It was designed to be in a certain place and at an exact angle.

Frick says, "It was designed to catch light to change its character every 5 minutes."

During the placement process, the designed measurements were used along with Frick's artistic eye to get the statue at its perfect position. Lights will also be installed around the statue to help show its character at night.

One student, Amy Gerard states, "The light that reflects off of it adds beauty to the campus."

A faculty member of the music department, Paula Survilla spent some time admiring the sculpture and states, "It was highly anticipated. It has great depth to it. I like the fact that it opens space in several directions. It subtly opens the gaze."

Aspiration will be dedicated October 17 at 1 p.m. Many faculty members, including President Ohle, will be speaking. Both Anderson and Frick will also comment on the sculpture.