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ALUM Spotlight Bill Van Dyke '64

With a foundation of skills in woodcarving, Bill Van Dyke began carving ice sculptures as a teenager to assist his father who was an executive chef. Bill came to Auburn and played football for Coach Shug Jordan, making SEC all-conference for two years. He began his career teaching English at the high school and college levels. Then, following his passion, he established his own ice carving business in 1978. "I am having the time of my life carving ice. How many people can say that they enjoy their job? Me? I love what I do. I am so thankful to be doing this," he says. He has an impressive portfolio, creating ice sculptures for corporate events and social occassions, and for some well-known clients such as the Rolling Stones and the emperor of Japan.

Q. How did you become involved in ice carving?

A. I first became involved with ice carving at the age of fifteen when I began helping my father cater functions such as weddings and large parties.

Q. How long does it take to complete a typical sculpture?

A. I started with only a curved saw, an ice shaver and a pair of tongs. Believe me, it took several hours to complete a very basic carving.

Today, it takes about 45 minutes to complete a typical sculpture. Today, we also provide ice sculptures done with the use of a CNC machine which uses a computer to do the carving.

Q. What are some of your most memorable creations?

A. I traveled to Alaska 12 times for international competition carving pieces from about 9 tons of ice (18,000 pounds). Some of my most memorable creations were done there. We won the people's choice award for the carving of four bears fishing on a stream. The last competition in Anchorage, we won the artist's choice for best carving, a dragon showing off his newborn to Merlin, the magician, with the title being, "Proud Poppa!"

Q. What is your favorite Auburn memory?

A. My favorite Auburn memory is a mixture of the football life and the campus life as a student. I made many friends, both athletes and regular students. They provide all of the memories that I now hold so dear. I was the athlete who walked into class with the first African American student, Harold Franklin, January 4, 1964. We had been talking football out in the hallway of Samford Hall and walked in together into our History of England class under Dr. Rhea. The papers made a big deal out of it, but it was just one Auburn man talking to another Auburn man.

Q. What is your favorite place on campus?

A. My favorite place on the campus was the student union building, which has since moved. But I could go there and mix with the people.

Q. What advice would you give to current Auburn students?

A. If I had any advice to give to the students it would be discipline yourself to study and apply yourself to your courses. It only takes a few hours a day. The rest of your time, take in the Auburn Experience. Enjoy it, savor it, and realize that it is over too soon. You may leave Auburn, but Auburn will never leave you.