Beneficence, Bronze sculpture at Ball State University, Muncie, United States
Beneficence is a bronze sculpture on the campus of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, depicting a hand holding a treasure chest and flanked by five Corinthian columns. The figure stands at a central location on campus and can be seen clearly from a distance.
The sculpture was commissioned in 1927 by the Muncie Chamber of Commerce and completed in 1937 by Daniel Chester French, who is best known for the seated Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. This work was the last major project French completed before his death.
The sculpture goes by the nickname "Benny" among students and serves as a natural meeting point on campus. It is especially popular during graduation season, when students and families gather around it for photos.
The sculpture stands at the intersection of McKinley and Riverside avenues and is easy to reach on foot from most university buildings. Visiting on a weekday morning tends to be quieter and allows more time to look closely at the details.
Sealed inside the base of the sculpture is a book containing the names of around 11,000 donors who contributed to building the university campus. This hidden detail makes the work a quiet tribute to the people who made the institution possible.
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