The cannon located near the Benson Bunker Fieldhouse is a memorial on campus.
Around the North Dakota State campus are several memorials, often commemorating the lives of those who’ve died.
The largest of the memorials on campus is the Memorial Union, of which is dedicated to “the men and women of the uniformed services who honorably and dutifully risk their lives to serve and protect this great nation and its ideals,” a plaque near the south entrance flag pole reads.
The Fallen Bison memorial, near the Bentson Bunker Field House, is also dedicated to those in the NDSU community who have “ensured our freedom and heritage through their ultimate sacrifice.”
Located around campus are several buildings and rooms within buildings named after people of the NDSU community, such as past presidents of the university like Minard and Loftsgard halls.
A rock by the babbling brook is also dedicated to Orville Eidem, director of bands from 1970 until 1993 and founder of NDSU’s jazz program.
Tree Planting Ceremony
Another ongoing memorial project on campus is the Tree Planting Ceremony. Josh Fergel, student body vice president, said the Tree Planting Ceremony has not been around for a long time.
“I believe it was an old student government project that eventually started, so it’s student body vice president, it’s their job for the year. Obviously we work really closely with Student Affairs and even with RHA — we’ve been working really closely with RHA on the project — so it’s definitely not just me,” Fergel said.
Fergel said that to be qualified for the Tree Planting Ceremony, a person would have to be a present NDSU student or be a very recent alumnus, saying that students who graduated in 2009 would not be considered as they graduated too long ago.
Fergel also said that if families approve, then “this year will have five (trees being planted), unfortunately”.
“It’s really an opportunity to memorialize students who have passed away,” Fergel said. “It’s something we’re really proud of.”
Fergel said that distance and continuing education students also qualify for the honor of being memorialized should they pass as they are NDSU students. He also said that some of the trees being planted this year are due to DCE students who passed away.
This year’s tree planting ceremony will occur on Friday, May 6.