Bernard Ramsey Statue

Bernard Ramsey Statue

Commissioned by Martha Woodruff Pierce

Erected in 2004

Infront of Moore College on North Campus

Bernard Bruce Ramsey (1915 -- 1996) was an executive with the Merrill Lynch brokerage firm, but more widely known for his contributions to the University of Georgia. Born in Macon, he graduated from Lanier High School before attending UGA at what is now the Terry College of Business. He received a degree in Commerce in 1937. Over the years he generously donated to UGA, culminating in a $20 million gift in 1993 and $34 million in his will. To date, he is the largest benefactor of the school. Not only does he have this statue on North Campus, but the recreation center and UGA’s prestigious Ramsey scholarship is dedicated in his name as well.

The bronze statue of Ramsey sitting on a park bench with his arm raised in a comfortable fashion is meant to inspire the late donor’s welcoming attitude to those who receive the honors scholarship with his name attached to it. Martha Pierce, who pushed for the idea of the statue, stated that Ramsey’s vision and admiration for the school is meant to inspire future alumni to succeed and give back as Ramsey did. She also stated that she hopes taking pictures with the statue and remembering Ramsey’s legacy will become a tradition for graduates who benefit from the scholarship. “When seniors walk under the Arch, I would hope that Foundation Fellows and Ramsey Scholars would like to also sit next to [Ramsey] on the bench,” Pierce said in a Red & Black interview.