The UMC Golden Eagle sculpture, located near the north entrance of the UMC Sports Center , was created by architectural sculptor Richard Arfsten of Burlington, Wisconsin, in 2001.  He was commissioned to do the piece by UMC when the campus received a grant from the Arts Council of the Northwest Regional Development Commission, funded by the Minnesota State Legislature.  This grant for public art was provided because UMC's Sport Center is the host site for many regional and community athletic tournaments and other events.  

The UMC Student Association played a major role in planning for the sculpture and in transporting it to campus, and UMC's Facilities Management Department installed it on October 30, 2001.  The late Al Westburg suggested the concept of a golden eagle sculpture in 1996, when UMC officially adopted the golden eagle as its new mascot.  Westburg was an avid supporter of UMC athletics, and served as an assistant basketball coach on campus.  

The sculpture will be dedicated in a ceremony just be; 

A plaque nearby states:

The Golden Eagle
Dedicated to the enterprising spirit of all UMC students and to Al Westburg, friend of UMC, who inspired this project and the Crookston athletic community
Dedicated May 11, 2002
Artist: Richard Arfsten, Burlington, Wisconsin