John Tarleton and his legendary companion, Oscar P., came home Monday night, July 27th, 2015, to the university that bears his name, looking younger than ever and larger than life.

Fireworks danced across the sky of Tarleton State University’s Stephenville campus as faculty, staff, students and key community leaders and donors applauded the unveiling of a 10-foot bronze sculpture of its legendary founder—looking 20 years younger than his only known photograph—and his pet duck.

Created by Kenneth Wyatt, a 1946 Tarleton graduate and world-renowned artist called the Norman Rockwell of Western Art, the statue stands in the center of the newly renovated Alumni Island as a symbol of history, tradition and far-reaching vision.;xNLx;;xNLx;The Alpha Building Corporation, which contracted to renovate the Alumni Island, donated funds for the statue in honor of its long-time employee Richard H. Booher, who retired earlier this year after more than 20 years of service.

When friends heard that Wyatt had been commissioned to sculpt the bronze of Tarleton, they insisted he include the founder’s legendary companion, Oscar P. The duck serves as one of three anchors that keep the monument steady against Texas winds.

The 10-foot bronze began as a 24-inch model, which was turned into the larger-than-life piece by The Crucible Foundry in Norman, Okla. The foundry poured the 1,078 pounds of bronze in 250- to 300-pound segments and welded them together to create the final monument.