Tree planted on WIU campus in memory of three students

By JAYCIE DOERR, NEWS3 Reporter

MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) — Western Illinois University planted a memorial tree in honor of three students who died in the past year.

The tree is in memoriam of Angela Layton, James Lines, and Obed Iqbal. The ceremony was planned by the Inner-Hall Council. IHC President Jordan Rouse spoke at the event. Layton’s father also spoke at the event about her life and the impact of her death.

“We hold this ceremony every year to remind the family, the students and students to come how much their impact can mean here at Western Illinois University,” Assistant Director of Student Life Greta Dieter said.  “And even though these students will no longer have a physical presence here on campus, they will still have an emotional presence.”

During the ceremony, friends and family of the deceased students laid roses and placed dirt around the tree. The tree is located on the west side of Sherman Hall in the memorial tree grove. 

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