"Máquina" by William Conrad Severson (1994)

Fountain sculpture in front of Engineering Hall. Also known as “The Descendant’s Fountain,” which is inscribed at the fountain’s base. To the right of the inscription is a circular plaque on which is written the following: "To be a true descendant is to possess individually [sic?] previous human evolution and experience as personal property, and joining with others, pass that ever-changing heritage on to the next generation. This chart of my grandfather Severson [sic] descendants is characteristic of the highly individual assumption of heritage. William Conrad Severson. October twenty-one 1994." The artist has also noted that, "Máquina represents the engineer's tools, their aesthetics, and the engineer's role in creative problem solving." Engineering students are responsible for routine mechanical maintenance.