A Bethany College Art Student
Richard Bergen
  1925- 2020

destined to share his art with the world
to the stars through difficulty

A bronze statue of a Kanza warrior was added to the state capitol dome in 2002. Sculpted by Kansas artist Richard Bergen, the statue is named "Ad Astra" after the state motto ("Ad Astra per Aspera" meaning "to the stars through difficulty"). The warrior's bow points to the north star as a symbol of finding one’s way.
Kansas Motto
"Ad Astra'
"to the stars through difficulty"
SOURCE:  State Symbols USA online