The concept is the origination of the Heritage Trail, which deepens the significance of the original quad. Winding paths and intersections reflect the historical convergences of peoples and cultures in southeastern Oklahoma. At its focal point would be the donor-based River Crossing water wall, inspired by the original quad fountain. The donor wall incorporates a water wall feature, representing the rivers we cross, the barriers we face, and the openings we find in life. Benches along the wall invite passersby to touch the textured donor bricks or run a hand through the falling water. The wall converges on each side of the quad to a monumental sculpture at its center, acting as a trail head for the Heritage Trail that is both a journey and a destination.
The Heritage Trail incorporates new serpentine pathways into the existing arced pathways to provide practical connections between campus destinations.