Memorial Garden (2005)

In fall 1999, Student Alumni Ambassadors Michael Russell and Andrea Nechanicky considered what they could do to celebrate the turn of the new millennium. Initially, they considered a time capsule. Eventually, they decided an appropriate commemoration would be a living memorial paying tribute to all students and faculty who helped shape the university throughout its history. "We thought the idea of a garden fit the concept perfectly," said Russell, who became chair of the effort to develop a Millennium Garden. The committee believed a garden could be a good place for formal and informal gatherings. They brought the idea to the Facilities Planning Advisory Committee, who approved it. It was then approved by the President’s Cabinet.

Printed in newspaper, sketch of garden with flowerbeds, benches, and three pillars with tall evergreens and Campanile in background — Tentative site for Millenium Garden, April 2000, The Northern Iowan Student Newspaper Collection, 17/01/01/04 Vol. 96, No. 55, RG 17, University Archives, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa.

The initial site for the garden was planned west of the Campanile. Its cost was $125,000-$250,000, depending on the features included. Money to develop the project would come from fundraising rather than appropriated funds. The committee hoped to break ground in spring 2000.

The Class of 2000 voted to support the garden with their class gift. Nick Arnold, co-chair of the Senior Student Council, stated, "The class voted on a 'gathering space', which might include a gazebo, fountain, benches and landscaping or a combination of any of those items." The Class of 2000 raised over $18,000 to contribute to the Millennium Garden.

Plans developed over the next few months. The Millennium Garden Committee of the Student Alumni Ambassadors continued fundraising for the cost of the project, which had risen to $275,000. They hoped for additional contributions from businesses and corporations in Iowa, as well as from private individuals.

The projected site was just west of the Campanile, occupying about a third of the grassy area between the Campanile and the West Gymnasium. The garden would include three limestone columns at the east end of the site, near the Campanile. There would be trellises, 20 flowerbeds, 10 limestone benches and a flagstone walkway. In addition, the committee was considering adding a time capsule, a sundial, a lighting system, and a dedicatory plaque.

In a summer 2000 article in the Northern Iowan, Northern Iowa Student Government Vice President Michael Russell said student leaders had discussed the project and decided to change the name from the Millennium Garden to the Memorial Garden. The exact subject of the memorial was still under discussion, but one possibility was Vice President for Educational and Student Services Sue Follon, who had died in 1998. The cost of the project had risen to $300,000 and the committee was struggling to raise money. Ideas included corporate sponsorships, faculty checkoffs and inscribed brick pavers. The brick paver program would allow donors to have a name inscribed on a brick placed in the garden. However, 10,000 bricks would need to be sold to fund the project.

Printed in magazine, computer rendering of Maucker Union Center for Multicultural Education at top and inset showing aerial plan of garden below, surrounded by some text from article — Memorial Garden proposed layout, Summer 2004, Northern Iowa Today Collection, 08/00/04, Vol. 88, No. 2, Pg. 21, RG 08, University Archives, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa.

By October 2002, the project had been scaled back and moved to another location. It would now cost approximately $100,000 and be located just east of Maucker Union. Construction would begin as part of the landscaping for the new Center for Multicultural Education on the east side of the union. Supporters of the new site believed the area around the Union was more central to student activities and would be a good place for people to relax. The UNI Foundation took a more active role in fundraising by bringing the project to the attention of alumni. Development assistant Laura Lundahl looked forward to a time when people could enjoy the garden or schedule the area for a wedding or a small concert.

The Classes of 2001, 2002, and 2004 followed the lead of the Class of 2000 with their class gifts: each donated funds for specific features in the Memorial Garden. By April 2004, there was about $85,000 available for the project, but an additional $35,000 was still needed to begin work. The Foundation was making inscribed bricks and naming opportunities available to students, parents, alumni and all interested. The Class of 2005 also gave its gift to the Memorial Garden, and work was able to begin that summer.

The Class of 2006 chose a sculpture for the Memorial Garden as their glass gift. Senior studio arts major Henry "Duke" Oursler made a slightly-larger-than-life model of a panther in clay and styrofoam. The model then went to Illinois Art Casting, in Ogden, Illinois. Plans called for the sculpture to be mounted above a small pool, which had been the idea of Paul Meyermann, assistant director of operations planning in the Physical Plan. Partially funded by the gift of the Class of 1993, the pool would be filled with water recycled from the university's air conditioning system. Meyermann worked with Marc Moulton, of the Department of Art, to mount Oursler's sculpture in the Memorial Garden.

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Printed in newspaper, computer sketch of sculpture depicting prowling panther descending from tree — Computer-generated sketch of Oursler panther statue, January 27, 2006, The Northern Iowan Student Newspaper Collection, 17/01/01/04, Vol. 102, No. 32, RG 17, University Archives, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa.

Printed in newspaper, two images together; top shows man and two women with large sundial sculpture, bottom shows close-up of sundial, byline reads: Alex Sandboth/Northern Iowan, (Above) Courtesy photo — Michael Ward, Susan Ward, and Beth Nybeck with sundial gifted by the Wards and designed by Nybeck, September 14, 2010, The Northern Iowan Student Newspaper Collection, 17/01/01/04, Vol. 107, No. 7, RG 17, University Archives, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa.

Compiled by University Archivist Gerald L. Peterson; some images furnished by the UNI Foundation; scanning by Library Assistant David Glime; November-December 2009; last updated November 10, 2011 (GP); content updated by Graduate Intern Marcea Seible, June 2025; revised by Library Assistant Hannah Bernhard, April 2026.