Corky the Hornet, created by Paul Edwards (BSE 1937), has been a part of ESU since 1933. Now you can have Corky in your home or office. ESU alumnus John Forsythe has created miniature bronze replicas of Edwards' carved walnut Corky. The nine-inch maquettes are cast in silica bronze using the "lost wax method" to ensure the highest levels of detail and quality. Each of the 100 numbered bronzes is mounted on a cherry and enamled wood base. As an ESU alumna, alumnus or fine art collector, you will want one of the limited-edition bronze maquettes for your collection.

The most prized and limited production numbers in the series, one through 10 and 90 through 100, are $500. Numbers 11 through 89 are $350 each.


Support ESU Scholarships

By purchasing a Corky maquette, you're not only acquiring a valuable ESU collectible, but also ensuring that scholarships will be available to another generation of Hornets. All proceeds will benefit scholarships for ESU students, which are vital tools for keeping higher education affordable.

About the Artist

ESU alumnus John Forsythe (BA 1975) is the owner and operator of Veritas, a foundry housed in a former Catholic church in Reading, Kansas. A celebrated artist, Forsythe has created bronze sculptures for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, a life-sized bull for Merrill Lynch, and a 20-foot-tall atlas for New York New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

How do I add Corky to my collection?

You'll send a tax-deductible payment of $500 or $350 for each numbered Limited Edition Corky requested to:

Corky Maquette
ESU Foundation
1500 Highland Street
Emporia, Kansas 66801-5018

Call your ESU Advancement office for more details. You will receive a gift receipt for your purchase, minus the value of the maquette and the sales tax.


What if I still have questions about the
Limited Edition Corky?

If you still have questions, please contact the ESU Advancement office at (620) 341-5440 or sacfound@emporia.edu, or call toll-free (877) 468-6378.