Students heading down Hello Walk have likely noticed the addition of the new sculpture and seating area circling the Columbarium adjacent to Christ Chapel. These elements officially completed the Memorial Garden space, which was begun in 2012 and dedicated June of 2014.
The new sculpture, entitled “Spirit Vessel,” was crafted by Gustavus Sesquicentennial Sculptor Greg Mueller.
Mueller was a student of Paul Granlund, the sculptor of the “Luna Moth Matrix” which marks the entrance to the Memorial Garden space.
“The spirit vessel is in many ways in conversation with the lunar moth and the transport from one stage of life to the next,” Chaplain Brian Konkol said.
An area recognizing students who have died while enrolled at Gustavus was also added over the summer, and currently memorializes Grace Goblirsh and Grant Rorem.
Barb Larson Taylor, director of the Center for Servant Leadership, was instrumental in the planning of the Memorial Garden.
“The discussion evolved over time as we were working with the landscape architects who designed it that we didn’t have a place here that would recognize students that died while they were students at Gustavus. Fortunately that doesn’t happen that often here, but when it does happen it’s very impactful and very difficult for everyone in the community- current students and employees, and so the discussions when we were designing this memorial garden had been about how could this also be a place to recognize students that died, and that would be an important part of the production and the design,” Larson Taylor said.
Konkol also commented on the significance of the memorial area.
“The student memorial was put there recognizing that there is a particular meaningfulness when a student passes away from the college, so we felt that it was important to have this very specific area with the bench so that students could come and reflect knowing that some of these may have been classmates and that in and of itself is very significant,” Konkol said.
A ceremony for the completed Memorial Garden was held during the June Board of Trustees meeting, and Paul Grandlund’s remains were inurned during the ceremony.
According to Kathy Chalhoub, assistant to the Chaplains, Granlund’s was the second inurnment which has occurred in the Columbarium space, and the Chaplain’s office has received multiple inquiries about reserving a niche, or compartment in the Columbarium.
Konkol reflected that shifts in Christian theology have changed how many perceive cremation and traditional burial.
“Sociologically people are moving more often and therefore might not connect with a particular congregation, mosque, synagogue, or what have you, so because they’re moving so many different times they don’t necessarily have a sense of place or a sense of home, which makes Gustavus in some ways people’s primary location,” Konkol said.
Larson Taylor noted that many for many students, the relationship with Gustavus extends far beyond graduation.
“It’s sometimes easy to feel like Gustavus is about my four years, and it gives a sense of life is finite, and hopefully [the Memorial Garden will inspire students to] appreciate it while you’re here, appreciate each day as a gift, but also a sense of there’s a bigger family and a bigger history that goes well beyond your four years as a student, and you are now connected to that bigger history because you’re a student here. Hopefully there’s maybe a sense of connection to those that have come before you and a shared sense of love and passion for this community that I hope students would then imagine, wow, I hope I stay connected to Gustavus for the rest of my life too,” Larson Taylor said.
Konkol said that the space may also inspire deeper thought.
“I think that it’s really a good reflection piece and since it is here, how is it that students recognize that one day our lives pass. We live in a culture that does not always have a healthy relationship with death, and this is one of those places where we can remind ourselves that there is a beginning and end, and that’s ok, that death is a part of life,” Konkol said.
Chalhoub expressed a desire that students enjoy the peace and beauty of the benches and the garden space.
“Hopefully it’s just a nice place to have quiet conversation and be respectful of those names that they see etched in stone,” Chalhoub said.
According to Larson Taylor, there are 570 spaces available in the Columbarium. The cost to reserve a space is $2,000 which Konkol noted is significantly less expensive than many cemetary plots or alternative burial options.
In the event that the current capacity is exceeded in the future, Larson Taylor said that expansion is possible on the other side of Hello Walk, and that Mueller’s sculpture would serve as the gateway piece.
To inquire about reserving a space in the Memorial Garden or to learn more about the planning and construction process, contact Kathy Chalhoub in the Chaplain’s Office.
-Libby Larson
