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Our Lady has always stood watch over Ave Maria University; however, on June 4, that truth became even more visible.
Dubbed by some onlookers as “the Assumption,” an eight-foot statue of Our Lady of Grace was lifted by crane onto the breezeway connecting St. John Paul II Hall and St. Teresa of Calcutta Hall. Suspended high above campus, she now stands as a visible sign of Our Lady’s presence at the heart of AMU.
What began as a conversation among friends at a St. Patrick’s Day gathering became a bold vision. Longtime Trustee Donna Bradt and her husband, Bill, together with Founder and Chancellor Tom Monaghan, imagined placing a Marian statue at one of the most visible points on campus.
“Bill and I have always felt that Ave Maria University is the epicenter of Marian culture and devotion,” said Trustee Bradt. “Now her reign is more visible to all who come here. It’s the genius of Tom. He envisioned that.”
Bringing that vision to life required both creativity and perseverance. The intended location wasn’t a traditional rooftop, but the top of a façade separated from the building’s mechanical penthouse by a significant gap. Engineers and designers explored multiple approaches to ensure both visibility and structural integrity, especially in the face of Southwest Florida’s demanding weather conditions.
The solution was as innovative as the vision itself: a custom-fabricated steel bridge, built by Salazar Machine & Steel, spanning the gap between the façade and the penthouse. At its center, the statue rests on an elevated base, carefully positioned for clear sightlines across campus and town. To ensure stability, the fiberglass statue was reinforced with concrete, enabling it to withstand high winds.
Under the steady leadership of Senior Manager of Special Projects Jason Sylvester, the work moved forward. The final permit was issued on June 1, and just three days later, Our Lady was raised into place.
“Our Lady clearly wanted to be there,” Bradt reflected.
Now visible from across campus and throughout the town of Ave Maria, with lighting soon to complete the installation, Our Lady stands as a quiet yet powerful reminder of the University’s identity and mission.
Along with watching over the future site of the Mary, Mother of the Eucharist Chapel, her presence offers a lasting message to incoming students and generations to come: Ave Maria University is truly Our Lady’s university.
