Chapter 57 - The Memorial Bench Redearicated
Later that semester, the university organized a special campus event to rededicate the Foundational Hands memorial bench outside Whitmore Hall, expanding the plaque to include international recognition for foundational labor equity.
The ceremony brought together students, faculty, facilities workers, and our scholarship recipients. Standing beside me in the front row were Uncle Arthur, Donna, and Curtis—who had officially become a legendary fixture around the department, frequently stopping by my office to drop off fresh coffee and check on my workload.
As the velvet drape was lifted to reveal the newly expanded inscription, the crowd broke into warm, heartfelt applause.
"Look at us now, kiddo," Curtis whispered proudly, leaning over to give my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We went from scrubbing tiles in the dark to carving our names in granite."
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"We didn't just carve our names, Curtis," I smiled, looking out over the sunlit campus quad where students were walking to classes with their heads held high. "We built a table big enough for everyone."
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