New Martin Luther statue reflects Roanoke's heritage

A newly erected bronze statue on Roanoke's campus stands as an important symbol of faith and the College's Lutheran heritage.

A crowd gathered at Roanoke on Oct. 30, Reformation Sunday, for an outdoor ceremony to dedicate a statue of Martin Luther, a German monk and scholar whose ideas sparked the Protestant Reformation. The sculpture, which portrays Luther from the waist up, stands at Luther Plaza, an outdoor area in front of the Morris M. Cregger Center's High Street entrance.

"Hopefully, as students walk down this walkway, they will think about Martin Luther as they pass by and remember that you are saved by faith," said Charles Schumann, who along with his wife, Helen, donated the statue to Roanoke.

The Schumanns, of Richmond, are ardent supporters of the Lutheran Church and the College. They funded two professorships at Roanoke. These positions are the Charles and Helen Schumann Professor of Christian Ethics, held by Dr. James Peterson, and the Charles and Helen Schumann Professor of Lutheran Theology, which is held by Dr. Ned Wisnefske.

Roanoke is the second oldest Lutheran college in the United States.

Betty and Polly Branch, mother and daughter sculptors based in Roanoke, created the Luther figure. It stands on a base of absolute black granite, imported from Uruguay.

The base is engraved with Martin Luther's name, as well as the names of three Lutheran colleges that are part of Roanoke's alumni group. They include Roanoke, Marion College and Elizabeth College. A plaque placed next to the statue holds a quote from the writings of Martin Luther.

Roanoke President Mike Maxey described the statue as "a work of art and a statement of purpose" during the dedication ceremony.

"It is a map on our way forward as a College," he said.