One inspiration for the monument was a popular event at Rutgers Day.

“We recalled how people really enjoyed the "R Garden" at Rutgers Day and wanted to commemorate this milestone with a public object that would be fun and that people could interact with,” says Melissa Selesky, director of Rutgers–New Brunswick community relations at the Office of Community Affairs, which organizes Rutgers Day each year and planned the 250 kickoff event.