Felmley Hall is a fitting location for the plaque given that that is where the framed plan for the plaque was discovered. Don Wallen, who was a building service worker in Felmley Hall, was among the first to take interest in the plan, which was hanging in the west entry-way behind the inner door in Felmley Hall. In 2002, Dr. Lauren Brown (Professor Emeritus of Vertebrate Zoology), Dr. David Malone (Chair of the Department of Geography-Geology), Dr. E. Joan Miller (Professor Emerita of Geography), and Dr. Roberta Seelinger Trites (former Dean of the College) began efforts to conserve the original plan, which in technical language is called a “cartoon.”
Upon completion of the restoration of the cartoon, Dr. Brown suggested that after all these years the plaque should be made, and he spearheaded a mini-campaign to raise funds to create the plaque. Within only two days, he along with faculty, staff, administrators, and retired faculty had donated the needed money. The plaque was created, following as closely as possible the original drawing.
Dr. Bob Corbett, Emeritus Professor of Geology, spoke on the historical significance of John Wesley Powell at the ceremony, and Dr. Tak Cheung, Professor of Biological Sciences, spoke on the accomplishments of other scientists listed on the plaque. “Each one of these scientists deserves our respect—even our awe,” said President Bowman at the unveiling ceremony. “They deserved to be followed, and if we can—they deserve to be bettered—today’s faculty, staff and students of science owe them that level of effort.”