NSU commemorates 20th Anniversary of OKC bombing

(Tahlequah, Okla.)-- Northeastern State University will commemorate the 20thanniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, by having memorial tree-plantings at its Tahlequah and Broken Arrow campuses on April 22.

NSU will plant Shumard Oak trees, tying together the environmental consciousness of Earth Day, with the symbol of growth and hope as represented by the seedlings.

We are taking the concept of campus beautification, and through that remembering a tragedy from 20 years ago, Jessica Roberts, thecoordinator of community engagement, andone of the planners from Student Affairs at the Broken Arrow campus said.

She referenced the Survivor Tree at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, which has endured and thrived since the tragic bombing in 1995 that killed 168 people.

That tree is a huge symbol.

At the Tahlequah campus, the tree will be planted at 3 p.m. near the Beta Pond, and on Broken Arrow campus at2 p.m., on the south side of the library.

Event organizers will plant other flowers after the tree planting on the Broken Arrow campus.

All students, faculty and staff are invited to be a part of the planting at either campus.

For more information about events at the BA campus, contact JessicaRoberts atrober020@nsuok.edu.

Day of Service and Volunteerism

The Northeastern Student Government Association (NGSA) is also spearheading a Day of Service on April 16, as way of commemorating the bombing.

Student volunteers who registered with the association will be meeting at 8 a.m.on Thursday to commit themselves to cleaning up around the campus, and visiting a retirement center to spend quality time with residents. It is their way of honoring those who died, by giving back in the form of community service.

I think it is wonderful that so many students will participate, Katie Beasley, secretary of Volunteer Services for the NGSA said.

President of NGSA, Taylor Melone, estimates there are 15 people signed up for the Day of Service and hopes 10 to 15 more students will register. The form is still open to students. Emailngsa@nsuok.edufor more information about signing up.

Student Affairs also plans to volunteer their time and service to the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon on April 26.

Courtney Martin, coordinator of student orientation and leadership programs, said 20 NSU students will be on site from 4:30 a.m.to help organizers until the end of the marathon.

On April 10, Martin, ten students and Student Activities graduate assistant Cody Melton went to Oklahoma City to assist with marathon preparations.

We volunteered for four hours putting together water pallets for the water stops and other items necessary for the marathon, as well as toured the museum and memorial site, Martin said.

Guest Speaker

NSUs Staff Council is also recognizing the anniversary, by having a special speaker Lori Neace, whose sister Jill Randolph died in the bombing. Neace will talk about remembering and honoring those who died, and herstory will give insight to how the bombing affected families of lost ones.

This will take place on April 22 at 2 p.m. in the Morgan Room of the University Center on the Tahlequah campus.

In conjunction with this event, a memory board will be set up, where attendees can answer the question: Where were you on the day of the bombing?

No registration is required. For more information, contact Jennie Loucks atloucksj@nsuok.edu.

Similarly, at the Broken Arrow campus,Oklahoma CityBombing Remembrance and Reflection Tables will be set up in each building all week, fromApril 20-23. The NSU community will be invited to share their thoughts, and reflect on the tragedy.

The Oklahoma Standard

The overwhelming spirit of generosity of the Oklahoma community which followed the bombing on April 19, has come to be known as the Oklahoma Standard. People banded together in response, embodying three key elements which make up the standard- kindness, honor and service.

Dr. Lauren Boren, vice president for student affairs, said NSU has been using this as a template for all the planning of activities surrounding this anniversary.

Im proud of the unified effort NSU has taken to recognize and honor the 20th anniversary of the OKC bombing. NSU embodies the Oklahoma Standard through our culture of service and commitment to kindness toward each other.