The case of the missing Synergy statue: Where it’s going and what it means

A familiar sight in front of the TSC was removed in 2022, but its new home remained unknown until recently. The “Synergy” statue, created by artist Gary Lee Price, was a staple of public art on campus for years. It was removed with the demolition of the Tanner Fountains, and its whereabouts remained a mystery until recently.

A quest to uncover its location led to calls with maintenance, emails with the artist himself and deep-diving on the internet. However, all is well in this story, as the sculpture will find a new home in front of the Medhi Heravi Global Teaching and Learning Center, which is currently under construction on the Quad.

The building, which will house language programs on campus and the Heravi Peace Institute, is named after Medhi Heravi, a “proud double Aggie” in his own words and philanthropist whose life mission is to advocate for peace.  

“My hope is that everyone who goes through the Peace Institute will become a promoter of peace, freedom and friendship,” Heravi said. 

Heravi’s discovery of the statue is due to Katie Lee-Koven, who chairs the public art committee at Utah State University. She’s also the executive director and chief curator of the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art. 

Lee-Koven brought this piece to Heravi’s attention because she knew it represented the mission of the new Global Teaching and Learning Center.

“To me, it’s hands that are holding hands, holding each other together and raising each other up,” Lee-Koven said. “It’s a very positive piece.”

Statues on campus are under the care of Lee-Koven’s committee. They ensure each statue elevates the campus as a whole and is at its best. 

“The committee looks at those interpretive and educational experiences,” Lee-Koven said. “We have maps for different walks around campus and check condition and maintenance. We contract out cleaning and are brought in anytime construction affects a sculpture.”

Lee-Koven explained the process of how Synergy was moved and then determined to be added to the new building.

“With the Synergy sculpture, we decided we didn’t want the sculpture there with the new water feature,” Lee-Koven said. “We have a storage facility where we keep sculptures as needed. Then Medhi approached us, saying they wanted a sculpture for in front of the building.”

Sculptures on campus are curated for each location. Lee-Koven said it is a process to determine which sculpture best elevates its surroundings and illustrates the message of the buildings it’s near. 

Heravi said he is excited for the statue and the building and is humbled to be a part of USU’s legacy. 

“I’m deeply honored and humbled that they’ve attached my name to this building. I’m grateful for all the support for this building,” Heravi said. “I’m grateful to Katie, who brought my attention to the statue. I think it’s very appropriate to be in front of this building. I think the statue is beautiful.”

Heravi also shared his aspirations for this building and what it will represent. 

“It’s my love, it’s my passion,” Heravi said. “I’m very proud of the Peace Institute. I’m very proud of all of them. I’m grateful to have done something for Utah State.”

The artist, Gary Lee Price, agreed with Heravi’s sentiments. He donated the statue to USU and is grateful it will make a return to campus.

Synergy is a statue that represents a lot to Price. He wrote about its meaning on his website. 

“More often than not, life requires more than one person helping another,” Price wrote. “Life requires a community of effort and compassion. There is some idea, talent, or gift in each of us, and when united with others, it generates a great source of strength, of energy, of accomplishment.”

Price believes the statue is a true symbol of humanity.

“‘Synergy’ represents not just one person helping another, but rather, the entire human family integrated, unified, and working together in a way that we are all empowered,” Price wrote. “This powerful and striking piece personifies the intangible characteristics of teamwork, friendship, and unity…Synergy embodies and organizes these abstract qualities, combining them to produce a sense of motivation and success.”

Heravi agreed, calling for more peace, friendship, civility and love between people. 

The statue will have a new base poured, with quotes Heravi chose that embody his life’s work and the mission of the building.

Heravi’s excitement at being a part of Utah State’s future stems from his love of education.

“You are the future generation, the future leaders,” Heravi said. “This is why I’m so in love with teaching.”

Utah State hopes to see the building finished by 2024-25.

Heravi is overjoyed to see how the new building leaves a mark on Utah State. He believes in the power of education to make a lasting impact in the world, and knows the transformative power of being an Aggie.

“I hope that our students will become authors of peace that the world needs,” Heravi said.