The "Triumph of Knowledge" sculpture was created by artist Yumi Kiyose and was erected in memory of Les Thomas, El Camino College theater manager who served from 1958-1967.
The plaque reads: "Through collaboration, communication and humanity we strive to achieve the pinnacle of truth and make a positive difference in people's lives."
Les Thomas worked in the Fine Arts Division in the Theater Department at El Camino College as a technical director, designer and part time instructor in the early years from the 1950s-1960s. Upon his death, his wife set up an endowed scholarship for students who plan to study technical theater at ECC.
The endowed funds were transferred into the ECCF Challenge Grant in 1997, which matured in spring 2017. The fund had accumulated quite a bit of growth ($343,714) by 2015, and was more than adequate to fund the two $1,000 scholarships required by the agreement. Prior to the retirements of Dr. Thomas Fallo, ECC president, and Katie Gleason, ECC Foundation Executive Director, a meeting was held with William Thomas, Les’ son, and he gave permission for $80,000 to remain in a permanent endowment for the scholarships, and the remaining balance would fund up to three arts sculptures for the ECC campus, to depict the disciplines of Humanities, Natural Sciences and Fine Arts.
In January 2016, a small committee was formed to develop a process and procedure for the sculpture projects. An RFP was written and distributed in early spring of 2017. The committee was expanded to include a faculty rep from the Humanities division prior to the first selection. An artist, Yumi Kiyose, was selected in July 2017, for her Triumph of Knowledge sculpture.
After many years, the sculpture has finally been installed. Due to some setbacks and of course, the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, the installation was stalled a few times.
There has been no fiscal impact to the ECCCD budget due to the fact that the Foundation funds will pay for the entire project, including installation.