Located in the heart of Centre College’s campus, The Flame is a striking 11-foot-tall, 20,000-pound bronze sculpture and one of the College’s most iconic landmarks. Inspired by the torch of knowledge from Centre’s official seal, the sculpture powerfully reflects the College’s motto, Doctrina lux mentis—Latin for “Learning is the light of the mind.” The Flame stands as a reminder of Centre’s enduring commitment to academic excellence and intellectual exploration.
Commissioned to commemorate Centre’s sesquicentennial in 1969, The Flame was the College’s first large-scale public sculpture. It was created by Belgian-born artist and Centre faculty member John Somville and officially dedicated on October 17, 1969.
John Somville, a native of Brussels, Belgium, studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Geneva, Switzerland, and was an art instructor at Centre. He was assisted in the project by Dorthy Jane Smith and John VanArsdale, both art majors at Centre College.
Artist: John Somville
Date: October 17, 1969
Location: In front of Young Hall and Crounse Hall
Medium: Bronze
