09/11/2026
The first workday for restoring the campus Peace Pole was a success!
The Peace Pole in front of the Schurz Library was dedicated on Sept. 11, 2002, in commemoration of 9/11. The pole has some weather damage, and the language plaques have become illegible. Several student clubs are working to replace the plaques and replant the native plant garden. The peace pole monument and garden will continue to commemorate the September 11th attacks, as well as honor all victims of violence and advocate for a more peaceful world.
Facilities repaired and refinished the pole during the summer. Work on the language plaques and native plant garden has begun this Fall. Botany Club, Sustainability Club, International Student Organization, and the Student Veterans Organization are involved so far.
Brief History: The IU South Bend pole is inscribed with the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in twelve languages. Peace pole monuments are part of a long-standing tradition initiated in 1955 by Masahisa Goi, Japanese philosopher and peace activist, who was deeply affected by the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a result of World War II. The International Peace Pole project estimates that over 200,000 communities have peace poles inspiring people to come together and work towards a more peaceful world. Additional information on the origins of the peace pole on our campus can be found in this Preface article.
Link to Preface article https://iiif.uits.iu.edu/iiif/2/kh04g6102%2Ffiles%2Fc5a5c717-6d35-43ac-9a14-2a399ca11591%2Ffcr:versions%2Fversion1/full/1000,1293/0/default.jpg
