Jack Guth, a 1950 graduate of the University of Missouri-Rolla, will unveil his “MSM-UMR 20th Century” mural at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at the Havener Center on the UMR campus. The event is part of UMR’s Homecoming weekend ceremonies.

Jack Guth at work on the Rolla Building. (photo by Chris Marchetti)

The 15-foot-long mural consists of five panels, each 6 feet high by 3 feet wide, that depict UMR campus life from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st. Each panel represents approximately two decades in time with activities and events overlapping.

“The mural is a composite visual history of the wonderful architectural designs of the representative buildings and campus landscaping; and the student activities, both social and academic,” Guth explains. “It attempts to portray the basic constant of the student spirit, the nostalgic image of MSM-UMR.”

The panels’ backgrounds incorporate UMR’s oldest structure, the Rolla Building, as well as Jackling Gymnasium, Parker Hall, the Chancellor’s Residence, the Havener Center, and a variety of other Rolla locations that students, faculty and alumni could nostalgically relate to, such as the railroad station and Scott Drug Store.

“The buildings overlooking each panel represented on and around the campus are memorable structures where students and faculty have spent most of their unforgettable time,” Guth adds.

Guth holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UMR. After a successful career in the Navy and with his own ocean engineering business, Guth moved to Jerome, Ariz., to live the artist’s life. His 15 large paintings of “great moments in baseball” adorn the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix.

Following the unveiling, Dr. James Bogan, Curators’ Teaching Professor of art history and film at UMR, will provide a free lecture titled “Virtual Art Tour of UMR.” He will focus on “ Art Works in Rolla III,” an exhibition that celebrates UMR’s connection to the art world with works by artists with a historical connection to UMR.