West Chester University: WCU Dedicates The Roger And Agnes Ware Plaza: The Entrance To WCU And The Borough Is Tr ...

Press release from West Chester University:

September 27, 2021

The metamorphosis was five years in the making and began with an epiphany that Roger
Ware had on what he called a rainy and sleepless night in Georgia. “When I awoke the
next morning, I informed my wife, Agnes, about my idea for a fountain project for
the University,” shared Ware with more than 75 students, faculty, staff, family, and
friends who gathered at the new Plaza. “Her response was, ‘If that is what you want,
make it happen.’ Today is the day that I have literally been dreaming about.”

Ware said that he discussed his brainchild with President Fiorentino and the two made
plans to include the new entrance in the University’s landscape improvement plans.

“We also discussed that studies show that when prospective students visit a campus
for the first time, they usually know within the first ten minutes if that campus
feels like home,” said Ware. “Agnes and I hope that this Plaza and fountain is enjoyed
by students, faculty, and staff for years to come. We wanted a space to be the first
spot a new prospective student would see when visiting, a place to take family photos,
graduation pictures, a place to relax, and enjoy this beautiful campus and city.”

As the University celebrates its 150th Anniversary, The Roger and Agnes Ware Plaza is the icing on the birthday cake. “Thanks
to Roger and Agnes, this incredible new gateway welcomes the arrival of all to campus
and to the borough of West Chester,” said Fiorentino in his remarks. “We at this University
are grateful for your generous support throughout the years, and for conceptualizing
this magnificent space and being its visionary. As West Chester University celebrates
its sesquicentennial, this Plaza truly reflects our new beginning.”

Also acknowledged during the ceremony for their work on the project were the University’s
Vice President of Finance and Administration Todd E. Murphy, Associate Vice President
for Facilities Gary Bixby, and members of the Department of Facilities Management.

Following a formal countdown led by Fiorentino and the audience, the fountain was
formally turned on and cars passing by acknowledged the towering spurts of water by
tooting their horns.

The fountain, which will be operational for the public’s enjoyment except when winds
are too high or temperatures fall below 40 degrees F, is composed of two large concentric
spray rings, 22’ (ring 1) and 15’ (ring 2) in diameter with arching multi-stream jets.
Four vertical multi-stream jets are fed from a smaller ring (ring 3) at the center
of the feature with underwater light fixtures inboard of the two spray rings and at
the central vertical jets. Each ring has 20 jets (40 ring jets and 4 central jets,
total). All jets are installed flush with the pavement. There are four central jets,
or column jets, arrayed at 90° on a diameter of 16” at the center of the fountain.
These jets are also mounted flush with the plaza.

Roger Ware, Jr. graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Criminal Justice in 1982.  Roger has served as president and chief executive
officer of Jencap Insurance Services Inc. (formerly Genesee General) since 1998.

This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.