News in brief
It has been a hard year for the University of Guelph community.
Five students who tragically passed away during the 2015/2016 school year were remembered fondly at a tree dedication ceremony on Fri, Sept. 23.
Family and friends of Kaya Firth, Grace Glofcheskie, Eric Nielson, Steven Persaud, and Zach Sutherland gathered around a newly dedicated Katsura tree in the “World of Trees” collection in the Arboretum.
The Katsura tree has been used by the University to remember the contributions of its students since the first student memorial tree dedication in 2006. The student-initiated project is supported by a reserve fund from the Student Health and Dental Plan.
“Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.”
The plaque at the base of the tree includes the names of the students who were lost within the last year, as well as a quote by American poet Emily Dickinson, “Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.”
Following a brief presentation by President Franco Vaccarino, vice-president of student affairs Brenda Whiteside, and members of the Central Student Association and Graduate Students’ Association, James VanderBerg from the Multi-Faith Resource Team performed the official dedication.
The floor was then opened to anyone who wanted to say a few words. Each parent who spoke expressed their child’s love for the University of Guelph and the people they met during their time here, thanking all in attendance for keeping their memories alive.
Photo by Dana Bellamy/The Ontarion.