DAVID HARDEN/Arizona Daily Wildcat Rachel Rogers, daughter of Robin Rogers, looks to her boyfriend Mike Deal for support yesterday after a ceremony in which three trees were dedicated to the three professors who were shot.

Three trees bring new life to College of Nursing lawn

A week after a disgruntled student shot and killed three UA nursing professors, a Native American shaman came to the college to share his condolences.

During his visit, he shared a vision with Marjorie Isenberg, dean of the College of Nursing. He foresaw a positive future for the school in which the school would be surrounded by many small trees that would one day grow high above the rooftops, giving the school sanctuary and protection, Isenberg said.

Yesterday afternoon, four months after the deaths of professors Cheryl McGaffic, Barbara Monroe and Robin Rogers, the shaman's vision was realized as three trees were planted in the grass west of the building where the nurses were slain.

Grey skies hung overhead as nearly 200 students, colleagues, friends and family members of professors gathered for the planting of three trees in their memory.

Rain soon forced the crowd indoors where deans from the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering and Mines and Science explained their decision to donate the trees and a memorial plaque to the College of Nursing.

"We at the UA want to reach out and say ÎWe support you' to our colleagues in the College of Nursing," said Joaquin Ruiz, dean of the College of Science.

Ruiz and other speakers said the trees were a fitting symbol of remembrance for the slain professors.

"When I think about trees I think about nurturing and growth. I think about a monument to these three women who did their job properly and paid with their lives," Ruiz said.

The three college's deans had each considered planting the trees, but the plan did not become a reality until they randomly met in a hallway.

"When I talked to the deans, we all agreed that the trees symbolized new growth and healing and moving on," Isenberg, said.

"We will always remember," Isenberg said. "We will be long gone but those trees will still be there."

The three Mexican orchid trees are the only specimens of their kind on UA grounds. They will grow large enough to offer shade from the summer sun and sprout a "striking pink bloom" in the spring, said Libby Davison of the campus arboretum.

As the service ended, the clouds cleared and the rain ceased, temporarily allowing people to gather around the trees and examine the bronze plaque that will be placed near the benches below them.

Dan Monroe, Barbara Monroe's husband, said that the memorial was a "great" and fitting tribute to his wife's memory.

Pat McKnight, a nursing professor and colleague of the three women, said that the nourishment and protection offered by the tree's shade is indicative of the nurturing nature of her slain friends.

"The planting of the trees is a powerful thing because it's an honor that's ongoing," McKnight said. "They may have been shot down, but they have this living memorial that will go on."

Nursing students, many of which were in the classroom where Robert Flores Jr. shot and killed two of the professors, cried and exchanged hugs as people gathered around the newly planted trees.

One called the donation of the trees thoughtful, and said that the tree was a fitting tribute to their slain professors.

"I hadn't thought about how the trees symbolize life, but I think that that's really nice," said nursing senior Sausha Johnson.

Other students said they appreciated the outpouring of support from other colleges who have donated donuts, ice cream and bagels over the past few months in honor of the professors.

"Every week some college has done something nice. I've seen a closer sense of community since the shooting. If anything good has come from that evil that has been it," Isenberg said.

"I think it's great that everyone is still showing their concern and condolences," said Adrian Cook, a nursing senior.

A statue to commemorate the three professors in the College of Nursing courtyard is likely to be unveiled Oct. 28, on the first anniversary of the shootings, Isenberg said.