The nine-foot statue of a well armed Viking that will be unveiled on Bethany’s campus this weekend, grew out of a sketch artist Dick Bergen drew over 20-years ago.

Bergen said financial concerns put a hold on the project then, “And the sketch went into a file,” he said.

After Bergen was named Kansan of Year in 2008, staff at Bethany College made a push for one of their most celebrated alums to bring “The Terrible Swede” project to a reality.

The bronze statue will be unveiled at a dedication event on campus Saturday, April 12th at 5:30pm.

The festivities will take place in front of the Hahn Physical Education Center at Bethany College.

One of Bergen’s most famous works, the statue of a Kansa Indian “Ad Astra” stands atop the Kansas Capitol Dome in Topeka.

Dick Bergen is a 1953 graduate of BC.

The Bergen’s Studio and Art Gallery is located at 320 N. Santa Fe in Salina.