By Micah Friez
Published 1:53 pm on May 5, 2026
The University in the Pines is looking a little more like itself again.
Bemidji State University welcomed donors of the Replant Our Roots Project to campus on Monday, May 4, for a special tree planting ceremony. Less than a year after BSU and the greater Bemidji area were struck by a devastating storm, alumni and friends who immediately stepped up to support were able to get their hands dirty and plant trees to replace those lost in the destruction.
“As heart-wrenching it was to see what happened to this town and university, I’m so thankful that someone reached out and said, ‘Let’s do this for the community,’” said 1998 alumnus Shawn Henry. “I’ve always wanted to leave this world a better place. I got some amazing friends out of this university, so I’ll do what I can to pay it back.”
Monday’s replanting efforts included white pines, balsam firs, white cedars, and white spruces, totalling 80 native additions to help replace the 200 mature trees felled by the June 2025 storm.
Even in cold temperatures, strong winds, and off-and-on showers, donors rolled up their sleeves and grabbed a shovel. They picked out the perfect locations to plant the trees they donated, each of which has significant meaning. Many donors purchased their tree in honor of a loved one, memorialized by a plaque that will accompany the trees as they grow across campus — stretching from the Alumni Arch all the way to C Wing of Oak Hall. That’s where Henry’s cohort gathered for an emotional ceremony.
Henry is a member of a large community of friends who all lived together in Oak Hall. Henry was introduced to the group by his soon-to-be wife, Linda Penn, who herself was an integral member and a fellow ‘98 grad. The group planted two trees on Monday: one in honor of their shared friendship, and one in honor of Linda, who died in 2020.
“I came across this group of people through Linda. I saw them and I just wanted to be a part of it,” Henry said. “It does not surprise me for a second that they did this. I love the fact that we had this opportunity to get together again and honor Linda like this. It’s freezing cold, but it’s a beautiful way to honor her.”
Linda’s tree was appropriately planted outside her former residence hall, along Birchmont Drive on the northern edge of campus. Current and future residents of Oak Hall will always have a great view of it.
“When the college needed help, we wanted to help. And we thought this would be a great way to honor her,” said Aubrey Koman, a 1997 grad and Linda’s friend. “She loved Bemidji State. She loved the friendships that we all created here, and to be able to plant a tree in her honor — so she will always be here — is such a blessing for all of us.”
The group’s friendship is still going strong. They get together every summer — first just themselves, and now with plenty of significant others and children tagging along. Henry, who presently lives in Washington state, is one member who hasn’t been able to return as often as he’d like. But rain or shine, he wasn’t going to miss this reunion.
“Linda would be very appreciative that we got this opportunity to see each other again, and hug and maybe cry a little bit,” he said. “But for the most part, she’d absolutely say, ‘Why are you guys standing out in the cold for me? Go inside. Have a drink.’”
