( NewsNation ) — The University of Idaho unveiled a campus healing garden Wednesday in memory of the four students killed in November 2022.
The Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial was designed, vetted and built by students in the College of Art and Architecture Design-Build Program with guidance from faculty and alumni.
“This beautiful space is a testament to the inspirational response from our community and a symbol of our strength as the Vandal Family,” the university wrote in a Facebook post.
Students who created the memorial led a public dedication ceremony Wednesday to reflect on and honor students the university has lost.
Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members gather at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Hand written notes mourners wrote at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024.
(Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Hand written notes mourners wrote at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Kaylee Goncalves memorial plaque at the University of Idaho on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Ethan Chapin memorial plaque at the University of Idaho on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Xana Kernodle memorial plaque at the University of Idaho on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Maddie May Mogen memorial plaque at the University of Idaho on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial candle fixture. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: “Vandal Strong” buttons were passed out at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members gather at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Blaine Eckles,
vice provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at University of Idaho, speaks at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho President Scott Green congratulated the Department of Art and Architecture students who worked over the summer to build the gardens and sculptures at the ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho President Scott Green congratulated the Department of Art and Architecture students who worked over the summer to build the gardens and sculptures at the ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho students who designed and built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial gather at the dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho students who designed and built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial gather at the dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho students who designed and built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial gather at the dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members gather at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members gather at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Drew Giacomazzi, a member of Sigma Chi, the healing garden committee and a friend of Ethan Chapin also spoke at the ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Hand written notes mourners wrote at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024.
(Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Shauna Corry, Dean of the College of Art and Architecture at the University of Idaho, speaks at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Shauna Corry, Dean of the College of Art and Architecture at the University of Idaho, speaks at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: Shauna Corry, Dean of the College of Art and Architecture at the University of Idaho, speaks at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members gather at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho students who designed and built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial gather at the dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho students who designed and built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial gather at the dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho students who designed and built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial gather at the dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho students who designed and built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial gather at the dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho students who designed and built the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial gather at the dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members write hand written notes at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members gather at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Overview of the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Overview of the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial on Aug. 21, 2024.
(Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members write hand written notes at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members gather at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members gather at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members gather at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members write hand written notes at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024.
(Credit: University of Idaho) Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication: University of Idaho community members write hand written notes at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial dedication ceremony on Aug. 21, 2024. (Credit: University of Idaho)
Nameplates inscribed with the names of Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen , the four students stabbed to death in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, were also unveiled at the ceremony.
At the end of the event, attendees wrote notes of remembrance and left them on the memorial site.
Defense lawyers are currently pushing for the trial of Bryan Kohberger , the man charged with the 2022 killings , to be moved to a different county. They argue the change will result in a fairer trial.
The trial is expected to start in June 2025. If convicted, Kohberger, who has pleaded not guilty, could face the death penalty if he is convicted.