The Statues
There has been, so far, about 3 tiger statues (one of them I missed to get a picture). What they are made of is something I don't know, nor think may be important, but I'll do my best to provide what can. I can say one of them has more info detail than the others.
1
*Why its in quotations is something I don't know why, but the likely reason (which is the same reason to why the buildings have it too) is that my Geo prof [Dr. Fox] said that the University uses fake brick in it structures due to earthquake safety. As real brick, will have it to where it's bounds can weaken easily due to he clay and cement materials in it much more over time, especially when exposed to water and/or also large disruptions like strong vibrations.
It may be hard to see due to my somewhat poor angle I took this picture, but this is the tiger statue of 1961. This nice work of art and dedication, is the work of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds. Is made out of some type of aluminum alloyed metal which allowed for them to paint it with orange and black stripes; which sadly we don't get to see it (unless we were there). The pedestal of it, is that of a rectangular shape with a finishing of *"brick" red tile and flecked with hints of grey marble chips. It also has a plaque on it as well.
This main event was unveiled by the Class of 1950, the Alumni Association, President Robert E. Burns, and a whole lot more people. It be located/hosted at/near the north end of the Administration Building (now called the Knoles Hall). This was dedicated to the college's spirit of the college as well as a memorial to the late President an' Chancellor Tully C. Knoles.
Reynolds in/towards the end of his speech give acknowledgement to the student body of "....once they put their minds to it, can destroy or deface anything; just take a look at the Senior Rock." Which he then concluded with this simple plea of "Please do not destroy this poor tiger-?". And I bring that up, because someone -or some people- did technically adhere to that.....by instead of destroying it, they stole it. Yes, it was stolen, when? in 1994. It was never found and has no leads nor whereabouts to who or where took it or to where it is now.
I was unable to find any mention of anything (aside from the book) mentioning about it being missing, and nor does Mike or anyone else in the archives (etc) yielded any results. Not even many hours through both in person and internet searching etc can give me anything. But from what I am assuming and have even seen the base in person is that: That someone, or a group of people, decided to take a whole ass tiger statue because they can....? How did anyone not notice or see a medium large tiger statue being taken?
This thing is taller than me, as I'd have to be at me tippy toes or other such to even reach the flat base of where it used to be; So it just kinda confuses me that despite its unveiling being such a big event enough to be on the front page of the student newspapers and have even the president of the campus (as well a large) majority of the people on campus and other important people attending it that there's not any mention of such thing going missing. Oh well...I've dwelt on that for too long but I have no time to go any further into research so probably take it with a miniscule hint of salt.
Anyway, the statue isn't 100% completely gone; there's still some of it left. See to the bottom of this paragraph, and you'll see a picture of what remains of it presently/as of today; those being only the plaque and base. Which you can still visit if you want to. Its located at the North end of Knoles Hall building.
Thee others
I did say that there are more [tiger] statutes. Thee other ones are at/near the Stagg memorial plaza and at thee Alex G. Spanos Center. There are about 3 (or 5) in total: 1-2 at the Center and definitely 2 at the plaza. I realized now that I didn't need to take a picture of all statues near there, as they all have the same design, so I just show the one.
*Fun Fact: It's a boy!
I found an interesting design detail while I was admiring the detailing of the statue. It's that who ever made these wanted them to be anatomically accurate. They didn't have too, but they did regardless. (noice addition though)