Summerlee recalled "committee after committee" agonizing over the process, with the university even suggesting a new building.

The idea for a statue ultimately crystallized when a U of G alumnus from the Ontario Veterinary College class of 1956 approached Summerlee with the Gryphon concept.

Alumni nearly funded the entire $300,000 price tag. The U of G's alumni association covered half the costs.

Through it all, the Gryphon's appearance drew relentless speculation. But the university kept tight-lipped on the design since its Sept. 2012 announcement.

"Yesterday, a giant stork delivered the griffin to its current location with a lot of hype and anticipation," Moreton said with a smile.

"We had to have a rotation of guards to protect the griffin, as well as overnight security to keep away advanced viewers."

But that wasn't enough to deter some super sleuths.

"There was some worm yesterday who managed to snap a picture of it before the cover was put on," Summerlee told the laughing crowd.

"We spent the last 24 hours trying to hunt that person down and take down the site on which you could almost see the griffin."

After the unveiling, dozens of people posed for photos with the griffin, clambering onto its wings and clutching its ears.

"Everything was done with the understanding that it's going to be an interactive piece of art," said Don O'Leary, vice-president of finance and administration.

O'Leary worked closely with Kozzi and Dai Skuse, professors in the U of G's School of Fine Arts and Music who designed the statue with two masters of fine arts graduates.

Writer Lewis Carroll, whose fantastical works include Alice in Wonderland, inspired the design, O'Leary said. The artists spent six months researching and developing the concept, followed by a year of production and creative work in the studio and foundry.

The Gryphon is part of the university's plan to enhance signage on campus.

This past spring, the U of G installed stone walls bearing the university name at the Gordon Street entrances on Stone Road and College Avenue.

They proved popular with camera-toting students and parents during convocation ceremonies in early June.

The Gryphon's unveiling kicked off the U of G's alumni weekend, which drew 12,000 alumni and 37 reunions.

amigdal@guelphmercury.com