Dave Champion, a self-taught amateur chainsaw sculptor, began prepping a tree trunk outside the Advanced Technology and Science Hall for what will become a new piece of campus sculpture. Champion, also a Slippery Rock University professor of criminology and security studies, first removes the bark before he takes a variety of chainsaws and hand tools to the trunk to begin carving. The finished product, which will stand between 15-18-feet tall, will feature the state flower, state bird, text books, an owl and University mascot, Rocky. Champion's goal is to have the sculpture ready for the first day of class, Aug. 27.
