Western Illinois University will host the annual Employee Memorial Tree Planting Ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the Memorial Tree Grove on the west side of Sherman Hall. Each year, WIU honors employees who passed away the year prior in a memorial planting ceremony. This year, the ceremony will honor:

- Michael Dailey, construction project coordinator, Facilities Planning & Construction

- Steven Myers, grounds gardener, Landscape Maintenance

- Amanda Schulz, assistant director, Graduate Studies

- Sinta Seiber, radio station production supervisor, Public Service Radio

- William Clow, dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

• Patricia Young, English professor, College of Arts and Sciences

The Memorial Tree Grove on the west side of Sherman Hall was established in the Fall of 2003, following a recommendation by members of Western's American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 417, with support from the Civil Service Employees Council, the Council of Administrative Personnel, Faculty Senate and University administration. The annual ceremony includes one tree planted in memory of all employees who passed away during the preceding year. Honorees are employees who die while either actively working, on disability, on workers' compensation, or on an approved leave from the University. To date, Western has honored 65 individuals. For more information, email the WIU Human Resource Benefits Office at Hr-Benefits@wiu.edu.