By: Jonathan Baca, Senior Reporter | Photo By: Scott M. Roberts, Photojournalist
A memorial honoring faculty and staff who have passed away has been erected as part of the renovations to Jeannette Stromberg Hall, said Director of Marketing and Communications Brad Moore.
It was created to replace a large pyramid-shaped memorial that had not stood up well against the weather. The monument is located on Main campus just north of the Student Resource Center, near the L-Building, he said.
“The monuments were created as a way to memorialize all the employees who have passed away here, and to give everyone else at CNM a place to remember them and honor their contributions,” said Moore.
The new memorial consists of a white metal frame with panes of frosted glass inside. On the glass panes are the names and titles of the deceased, along with their departments and years of employment. Instructors, administration, tutors, security officers, and custodians are among the employees remembered.
Full-time instructor Linda Slater said that many of the people included on the memorial were integral to the school becoming what it is today, including many of the instructors and mentors who taught her when she was a student.
“I think it is very fitting and proper that this exists here on campus. It is imperative that we show respect for our past colleagues,” said Slater.
The original monument was built more than a decade ago and had begun to show signs of aging, said Moore. When construction began on Jeannette Stromberg Hall, zoning laws required that the monument be moved, said Moore.
“We already knew the pyramid wasn’t holding up to the elements very well. The plaques would come off after a while. So we took the opportunity to have a new one designed that would last longer and hold up better,” said Moore.
When the pyramid was dismantled earlier in the year, the administration made no announcement about why it was taken down or what would happen to it, said Slater. Many people also disapproved of the manner in which it was torn down and the way it was treated once disassembled, said Slater.
“No one ever said anything about why would happen to it. And the way it was treated; just thrown into a heap like trash. I felt it was very disrespectful. It was tanthey were doing it or what tamount to a tombstone,” said Slater.
Psychology major Danielle White said she felt the memorial had good design, but that it was ruined by the inclusion of French Funerals and Cremations’ corporate logo, which is painted on one side.
“I guess they sponsored it or something, but I think it is really tacky,” said White.
Slater said she feels the school has done the right thing by replacing the original monument.
“It’s nice that they have stepped up and re-created something nice that we all can enjoy,” she said.
