What I would bequeath the University of Michigan

It appears from the amount of plaques around campus that each graduating class gives a gift to the school. I have no idea who gets to decide what we give the school, or how our class pays for it. I have an idea for a class gift but I have no one to present it to. The only person I know in MSA is dating the guy who made fun of me in front of the Ann Arbor City Council. So I guess I'll tell you my idea and hope that the Director of University Giving is an avid blog reader.

The class of 1870 purchased a statue of Benjamin Franklin and gave it to the University. The statue stood just north of University Hall, where Angell Hall stands today. Here is a picture:

Unfortunately the Class of 1870 had thought they had purchased a bronze statue but in fact it was made of Pewter. Student would regularly paint his trousers and jacket maize and blue. The statue stood there for the next 29 years. In 1899 a student wedged a beer bottle in to Mr. Franklin's pocket. To prevent further deterioration the University decided to drill a hole in his head and fill him with cement. Of course as any material science major could tell you, cement filled pewter + winter = deterioration. The greatest American didn't make it to see his 30th birthday.

So I think it would be prudent of our class to re-give a statue of Benjamin Franklin and restore his place on our fine campus.