Jacksonville – Eight different languages but they all say the same thing, “May peace prevail on earth.”

     That is the message placed on each side of the octagonal-shaped Peace Pole which will be officially installed in a brief ceremony on Friday, October 28, at 4:00 p.m. It will be placed just outside the front entrance area of the Irma Latzer Gamble Campus Center with an opening prayer to be given by Pastor Betty Sue Sherrod of the United Congregational Church.

     The project was initiated by the past president of SOLACE, Ms. Lisa Thuer ’05, who suggested it as a way to bring harmony to the campus.

     SOLACE is a campus organization that provides support and council for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, allied students and those questioning their sexuality. It acts as an organization committed to reducing prejudice and discrimination in all forms.

     All members of the MacMurray Student Association (MSA) voted on the selection of languages which include: English, Sign Language, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Japanese and Hebrew. The Peace Pole was made possible by donations from events sponsored by SOLACE as well as concession sales at various events. The campus organization raised over $600 to pay for the pole made by Peace Pole Makers USA which manufactures them for places all around the US.

     There are now over 200,000 peace poles in over 180 countries around the world.

     They are located in places ranging from the Magnetic North Pole in Canada to the Jordan River in Israel to the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.

      The public is invited to attend the inauguration ceremony.

(Note: Pictured is an example of a similar, 8-sided peace pole.)

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     Located in Jacksonville, Ill., MacMurray College is a private, four-year, liberal arts, coeducational college, founded in 1846, and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Its friendly, informal environment stresses academic excellence, personal attention, career experience, and well-rounded development of each individual.