Sculpture of giant pencil is missing

Someone swiped the giant pencil sculpture in Pickett Park at Stadium Avenue and McCormick Road, according to Purdue University police, who are investigating its disappearance.

The 12-foot-tall pencil was reported missing on Monday, but it is believed to have been missing since Nov. 11, Purdue police Capt. Carol Baunach said.

The sculpture is made of cedar and weighs about 200 pounds, according to a Purdue University press release. It is valued at $9,000.

The sculpture was originally placed outside of Beering Hall near the Loeb Fountain in 2010 as a way to highlight the accomplishments of Purdue’s Online Writing Lab. The pencil was relocated to Pickett Park this fall semester.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Purdue police at 765-494-8221 or the WeTip Hotline at 800-782-7463.