Memorial Garden planting is scheduled for May 4 at UW-Green Bay

Students, faculty and staff as well as University of Wisconsin-Green Bay alumni are invited to take part in this year’s planting of annual flowers in the campus Memorial Garden on Wednesday (May 4).

The Memorial Garden is located next to the Weidner Carillon just outside the University Union. Wednesday’s gathering will begin at 12:30 p.m. with remarks and a formal program followed by flower planting between about 1 and 2:30 p.m. The plants (purchased through private donations) and all necessary tools will be provided.

The annual garden was inaugurated in spring 2010. It was done with the support of the UW-Green Bay student chapter of the nationwide grief-support organization National Students of AMF. (AMF isn’t an acronym but rather the initials of the woman who inspired the movement.) Prof. Illene Noppe of Human Development, a prominent scholar of death-education issues and a researcher on grief and coping among young people, is the chapter’s adviser.

Student chapter leaders Amanda Brodhagen and Nicole Hoagland say members of the University community are invited to plant an annual flower in honor of a deceased loved one. Survey research conducted by Prof. Noppe and her students reveals that, at any given time, roughly half of all college students have experienced a significant loss in the past two years. For some, stress and unresolved grief can interfere with their college studies.

In the event of bad weather, the 12:30 p.m. ceremony will still take place, with a rain site of the University Union’s Phoenix Room A. Refreshments will be provided.

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