The Trailblazer Tribute, Inaugural Memorial Service, Honors Students and Employees

The lone elm tree on campus will stand tall in memory of students and employees who have passed away over the 15-year history of the university and those who may be lost from our community in the years ahead.

The “Trailblazer Tree of Life” is located behind the STEM Building at the southwest corner. It can’t be missed. Eventually, the tree will be surrounded by special landscaping, benches and a permanent monument. It will serve as a place of tranquility where anyone can go to remember a loved one or simply find a quiet, solemn spot to reflect.

“Every life is unique. Every Trailblazer forged their own path,” said Dr. Rodney McClendon, Chief Operating Officer. “Some journeys were long; others ended far too soon. But every single one left a mark. Every single one was impactful. And this tree is here to remind us of that — today, and every day that follows — a living memorial to those we loved and lost.”

This academic year, we have lost three students, Aniyah Bolton, Jonathan Suarez and Joniqua Watson, and one employee, LaShonda Green. Their deaths touched many classmates, friends and colleagues.

During the service, relatives and university employees lit candles in memory of 18 individuals, including Bolton, Green, Suarez and Watson. In total, 37 individuals were honored by name – 23 students and 14 employees. Next month, Suarez’s family will be presented with a posthumous degree recognizing Jonathan’s achievements. He was set to graduate in May and aspired to be a teacher.

SGA President Julisa Luna lit a large blue candle in memory of all students who have passed, including those whose death we may be unaware of. 

VIDEO: Watch the Entire Trailblazer Tribute Memorial Service

“Loss touches every community. Ours is no different. Over the fifteen years of UNT Dallas's existence, we have lost members of this family — some after long and full lives, others far too soon. Each of those deaths left a mark on this institution,” said Dr. Ajamu Loving, professor in the School of Business. “Each life changed someone in this room. And each legacy deserves to be spoken of, honored, and preserved.”

The Trailblazer Tribute included a poignant message from President Warren von Eschenbach.

“To the families, friends, and loved ones in this room — to the spouses and partners, the parents and children, the siblings, the mentors, the instructors, the coworkers who sat beside them: there are no perfect words for a day like this,” President von Eschenbach said. “But there is something powerful about simply being present — about all of us choosing, together, to say: we remember. We will keep remembering.”

The service also included heartfelt, personal anecdotes from Dr. Rodney McClendon, who spoke about his mother and read a poem titled "When Great Trees Fall" by Maya Angelou, whom he once met.

When great trees fall,

Rocks on distant hills shutter,

Lions hunker down in tall grasses,

And elephants lumber to safety.

When great trees fall in forests,

Small things recoil into silence,

Their senses eroded beyond fear,

And when great souls die,

After a period, peace blooms,

Slowly and irregularly.

Spaces will with a kind of soothing electric vibration.

Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us.

They existed. They existed. 

We can be. Be and be better.

For they existed.

Patrick Brink, assistant professor of music, played the national anthem and the university alma mater. Brink is known for the music he plays at twice-yearly Commencement ceremonies.

Following the ceremony, family members and coworkers of the deceased, along with other university employees and students, viewed the Trailblazer Tree of Life through a window, from a patio and up close, where they took photographs.

A flow of emotions filled the air at the sight of the proud elm – and what it represents – now and for many years to come.

VIDEO: Watch the Entire Trailblazer Tribute Memorial Service