man, just noticed that yesterday. wow! does it have a backstory?
In the K-Stater they talked about it. Basically everyone behind it went to K-State. The artist, concrete firm, and I want to say metal worker (and one or two others) donated their time/money/expertise.
Why?
I'd bet that they were having a few beers together and decided its just what K-State needed and the alumni association was like, eh why not take their money.