Squirrels jump through the legs of a small child on the lawn in front of the Hintz Family Alumni Center. Upon closer inspection, this isn't a child at all. It's a bronze sculpture. And it's not just one child; it's five.

There is no plaque nearby with an explanation of these playful bronze children, just grass, leaves and a gazebo.

These children, however, have a story all their own.

Edward Hintz, chairman of the Penn State Board of Trustees and a 1959 graduate, contributed more than $1 million to the construction of the center that now bears his family's name. The center was completed and dedicated in April 2001.

Hintz had very little to do with the design of the center, however, he and his wife contributed to the ambiance and overall aesthetics by donating a statue that was installed on the lawn over the summer.

Hintz said his wife, Helen, had more to do with the selection of the statue than he did.

The Hintzes encountered the piece while they were traveling in the western United States. There, they discovered the work of Glenna Goodacre, a sculptor best known for the Vietnam Women's Memorial located in Washington, D.C.

Edward said Helen really liked the piece "Olympic Wannabes."

According to a 2001 statement by Goodacre, the idea for the sculpture evolved from the avid interest of children watching the 1996 Olympics.

"I thought of children playing and trying to compete with each other, wishing to be Olympic gymnasts," she said in the statement.

Goodacre said the cartwheel was the most simple gymnastic movement and provided an interesting composition. She arranged the five children in the statue in various stages of cartwheels.

"It was a challenge to place the five moving figures so they seemed light and free, defying the actual weight of the bronze. Since they are supported by an invisible base, they appear to float, frozen in the flying action of the cartwheel," she said in the statement.

Goodacre has over 40 bronze portraits in public collections across the country.

Gordon Turow, director of campus planning and design, planned the concept for the building's surrounding area and said the statue is just a small part.

Eventually, a secret garden, or "garden room," will be adjacent to the main lawn, and there will be benches and pathways. and additional landscaping connecting to the existing gazebo.

He said the statue "certainly is a wonderful addition to the site and it is sited beautifully. It is well integrated into the concept for the gardens, and it is a wonderful focal point."

Edward Hintz said the gardens look quite attractive and the architects have done a wonderful job so far.

He hopes the statue can brighten children's faces on cold, winter days.

"It's just a nice thing to have," he said.

Editor's Note: This is part of a continuing series profiling art around campus in in State College.