EDITOR/NEWS DIRECTORS: Attached photo is jpeg and cutline follows release. Huo Baozhu is pronounced “WHO BAA-zoo.” Television stations: B-roll from the ceremony is available for download at http://wtsu.troy.edu/spots/The%20Thinker.avi . This file is an uncompressed AVI at 720x486 resolution with an approximate file size of 1.8 GB.

TROY – Troy University officially recognized the artist and donor of its two-ton ‘Thinker’ statue today.

Mr. Huo Baozhu, the artist and president of De Run International Trading Co., Ltd., of Xi’an, China, made the donation of the sculpture to the University in 2004, but was unable to schedule a visit to the campus until this month. The statue sits along University Avenue amid the magnolias near the Shackleford Quad and adjacent to the Rotary International Center.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mr. Huo praised the University for its leadership in establishing a relationship with the People’s Republic of China and its universities. In particular he praised the University’s 1-2-1 Sino-American Dual Degree Program, pioneered by TROY and now used by universities nation wide as a model for education.

“Troy University has done more than just education, it brings the world closer together,” Mr. Huo said.

Since Mr. Huo’s donation of the statue, he has also donated a set of bronze terra cotta warriors to the University. Those warriors will be placed in the new student housing complex when it’s completed. Also planned is the donation of a set of bronze deer that will adorn a new park on campus, according to Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., TROY’s chancellor. Dr. Hawkins first met Mr. Huo on a trip to China in 2002.

“He emphasized his interest in fostering a strong relationship between China and the USA,” Dr. Hawkins said.

“China is an emerging world power with 1.3 billion people and the fastest growing economy in the world at 9 percent a year over the last 25 years,” Dr. Hawkins said. “China is also important to Troy University, as we have more than 250 students from there enrolled on our campus.”

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Mr Huo Baozhu, a sculptor and businessman from Xi’an, China, is presented a resolution of appreciation from the Troy University Board of Trustees by Dr. Doug Hawkins, president pro-tem of the Board, left, and Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. during a ceremony commemorating Mr. Huo’s donation of ‘The Thinker’ statue to the University. TROY photo/Kevin Glackmeyer.