MSU unveils new student memorial with ribbon cutting ceremony

A crowd gathered at the west end of Centennial Mall last week to witness the opening of a renovated memorial that honors students who have lost their lives while enrolled at MSU.

In 1990, MSU created the original memorial after the deaths of two students in Langford Hall. However, last Wednesday, Oct. 5, MSU held a ceremonial ribbon cutting to unveil the updated memorial located off 11th Avenue.

Led by the Dean of Students Matthew Caires, President Waded Cruzado, and ASMSU President Lucas Oelkers, the heartwarming ceremony recognized several integral members of the project.

Some members recognized include Cruzado, Terry Leist, MSU’s vice president of administration and finance, ASMSU student leaders, and three parents who contributed to the project.

Kicking off the ceremony, Oelkers welcomed the crowd and held a moment of silence regarding the students who have passed away while enrolled at MSU.

President Cruzado gave a heartfelt reminder of the devastating reason for the memorial, quoting Queen Elizabeth II, “Grief is the price we pay for love.” She reminded the crowd that despite the devastating reason for this ceremony, “Today is a day of celebration.”

Finally, Caires took the stage to recognize several groups of people, including members of ASMSU, Cruzado, and, most notably, Kathy Thompson.

Thompson is the mother of an MSU student who passed away in 2014. Shortly after her daughter's death, she visited Dean Caires.

Thompson told Caires that the original memorial, built in 1990, needed renovation. He said he remembered her kindly saying, “Matt, you can do better.” Thompson also provided the initial seed money, which sparked the project.

Caires invited Cruzado and Oelkers to cut the ribbon after his speech.

According to Oelkers, the project started six years ago and has involved fundraising, student polling and multiple groups coming together to support the renovation.

Caires and ASMSU quickly jumped into action. ASMSU committed $75,000 to the renovation with a resolution passed in 2019, Oelkers said.

Additional support from the Dean of Students Office, Office of the President and MSU’s annual Giving Day, and private contributions carried MSU well past that amount.

“In total, $300,000 was raised for the renovation project,” Caires said.

According to Oelkers, “No one knew what it was,” because it was hidden behind a brick wall. The student memorial is located near the MSU duck pond off of Centennial Mall.

The renovated area includes seating, new trees, and landscaping — and most importantly, it makes the names of the students it honors much more visible.

"The students represented by this memorial were and still are, Bobcats,” Cruzado said. “And we'll never forget that.”