| Nicknamed "The Man With The Upturned Face," the bronze statue of John
William Mackay is a central part of our campus. The statue was designed
by Gutzon Borglun, the world famous sculptor who carved Mount Rushmore.
It was presented to the university on June 10, 1908, by Mary Louise Mackay
and Clarence H. Mackay, wife and son of John W. Mackay. A replica of our
original statue stands at the base of Mount Rushmore.
When John W. Mackay came to Nevada in 1859, he became the leader of a
group of mining magnates who discovered the "Big Bonanza", a streak
of gold and silver in Virginia City. At that time, he was one of the
richest men in the world. After he died, his wife and son donated lots of
money to the University, allowing the building of the Mackay School of Mines and many other buildings on
our campus. Mackay Stadium was also helped built by the generous donations
of Mr. Mackay, for he believed a fit body was as important as a fit mind.
The Man With the Upturned Face
An Interpretation
Author Unknown
Standing in the center of the whole campus and dominating the main
quadrangle is a statue called by faculty and students, "The Man With the
Upturned Face."
In his right hand he holds aloft a bit of the good earth of Nevada form
which issues the wealth which brought into being the State and provides it
with material progress.
In his left hand he holds a miner's pick symbolizing toil, industry,
and ambition.
Clothed in the dress of a pioneer, he reminds us of the debt of
loyalty, gratitude, devotion and sacrifice owed by so many to the few who
endured untold deprivations to carve an empire out of rock and hill,
sagebrush and sand.
With an upturned face he peers into the future, envisioning in green
valleys and lofty mount tops the habitations of generations of the
children of men living in happiness, security and freedom. Blessed is the
pioneer who knows that he is a pioneer.
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