ISU unveils “peace pole”

“May peace prevail” was the theme at Idaho State University Thursday afternoon as a new peace pole was unveiled.

The peace pole is 8 feet tall and has the phrase “May peace prevail on Earth” written on it in 16 languages. Some of the languages include Irish, Arabic, Japanese and Swahili. The project was originally started in October by graduate student Alma Jam. She then continued the project with the university and the diversity center.

She said she saw a need to show people all of the cultures ISU represents.

“What inspired me to do it was just coming to Idaho State University and hearing people say ‘Oh there’s really no diversity here’ and then going through and meeting students from a lot of different countries, realizing no this place really is diverse and people really need to recognize that and appreciate it,” Jam said.

Jam said she originally thought the pole wouldn’t be unveiled and dedicated until the coming fall semester. Since Jam graduates this semester, she said she’s even more excited that she gets the chance to be here and see it happen before she leaves.

More than 180 countries have peace poles like the one at ISU. Japan is credited with building the first one in 1955.