Chet Peters was Kansas State University’s first vice president of student affairs. In addition to serving as the university’s official student mentor, Peters was a passionate and prolific sculptor of wood. His art became a unique feature of his lecturing to high school and college students—what he referred to as “sculptured speech.” As he made points in his talks, the artist gradually reconstructed a sculpture and explained the significance of its parts.

The figures in this spiraling pinwheel symbolize steps in the development of a student. The base represents the university faculty and administration. Other parts symbolize the learning experience, the learning environment, goals, meaningful relationships, value system, and the ultimate achievement of the goal.