Nov. 15—GRAND FORKS — Members of the UND community gathered Thursday for the dedication of a memorial wall honoring U.S. service members who died while on active duty.
The Veterans Honor Wall, located on the second floor of the university’s Memorial Union, lists all UND students, alumni, staff or faculty members who have died on active duty since World War I.
Several university administrators gathered for the event, along with ROTC cadets and some former military personnel.
“UND has always had veterans in its heart,” said university President Andy Armacost, a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force.
The dedication was one of several events hosted by the university to honor current and former military members during the week of Veterans Day, including a ceremony on Nov. 11.
UND has several standing tributes to veterans. The original Memorial Union, built in 1951, was named in honor of World War II veterans, while the former Memorial Stadium was built in honor of World War I veterans. (The Memorial Village multi-use complex is now in place.)
Director of Veterans and Military Affairs Angie Carpenter noted that the university currently enrolls nearly 1,800 military-affiliated students, including ROTC cadets, veterans and family members of service members.
That’s more than 10% of the student body, according to fall 2024 census figures.
Bella Hammer, a social work student and guardsman with the 119th Wing of the North Dakota Air National Guard, said the wall of honor provided a place for reflection and a source of strength.
“Every time I pass this wall, I feel a sense of purpose and inspiration by remembering the sacrifices made by those who came before us,” she said.
