Dear Friends and Community Members,
We are deeply honored to dedicate a beautiful memorial on UTPB’s campus to reflect on the tragic events of August 31, 2019. The Bright Star Memorial Plaza will forever stand as a tribute to those we love and those we lost.
Five years ago, our community endured an unimaginable event. Many of us remember exactly where we were when we heard the news, the people we spoke to, and the loved ones we checked on as the terrible details continued to unfold. In the days that followed, The University of Texas Permian Basin became a central gathering point as local, state, and national authorities, investigators, and media arrived in our town. It seems fitting, and we are truly honored, that the City of Odessa and Odessa Arts have entrusted us with the responsibility of creating this special experience on our campus. The Bright Star Memorial stands not only as a tribute to the victims but also as a beacon of hope and resilience for our community.
We honor the seven lives lost, the 25 injured, and all those whose lives were irrevocably changed. Their memories live on in our hearts, and this memorial ensures that they will never be forgotten.
The Bright Star Memorial is a testament to the power of community and collaboration. It is the result of many hands and hearts coming together with a shared vision to create a space of peace, remembrance, and reflection.
I would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to those who made this memorial possible:
- Odessa Arts, particularly Randy Ham, for managing the process and turning this beautiful artwork into a reality.
- Our partners with the City of Odessa for choosing UTPB as the site for this important memorial.
- Our friends at the Odessa Chamber of Commerce who have shepherded the families with care and kindness and kept this memorial team together over these five years.
- Artist James Sanborn for his profound and moving work.
- Art consultants Dyson & Womack for their guidance and expertise.
- Landscape architects Ten Eyck Landscape for creating the serene environment surrounding this memorial. Their work continues at UTPB, and we are grateful for their immense talent and dedication.
- Contractor McGough Construction for their tireless work in bringing this vision to life. Despite the obstacles, they ensured this plaza was completed.
- Civil engineers Parkhill for their critical role in the development of this site.
- TexaStone Quarries for their generous gift of limestone, adding a timeless and natural element to this sacred space.
- And finally, to our UTPB Team Members who have been instrumental in making this project a reality:
- Jay Haney, Director, Physical Plant
- Scott Hoffman, Project Manager
- Michael Trest, AVP Facilities
- David Wayland, Project Manager
This memorial is not just a static symbol but a living reminder of our collective commitment to honor those we lost and to support one another. As we dedicate this space, I encourage you all to see this as your park—a place for reflection, gathering, and solace. Let this be a place where we hold our loved ones tight and cherish every moment we have together.
The landscaping, designed by Ten Eyck Landscape, is created to be a place of solace and contemplation. Each plant was chosen for its unique ecological identity and connection to West Texas. When complete, it will include:
- Short grass prairie, playas, and arroyos.
- It will be seeded and eventually covered by native grasses and wildflowers, which may take 2-3 years to accomplish, serving as a prototype for other areas of our campus.
- Native limestone-filled gabions will help retain soil at the bridges and prevent erosion from impacting the landform.
- The “stacked branches” you may have noticed are an ancient technique using mesquite branches from the demolition to help slow down water when it rains. These “check-dams” trap leaves and sediment and create habitats for native plants. Eventually, they will break down and the grass will grow over them.
- The plaza seating is sculpted from native West Texas limestone.
- Desert Willows will provide shade and demonstrate resilience to our sometimes harsh climate.
We are so proud of this memorial plaza. A huge thank you to all who have contributed to making this important project a reality. It is vitally important that we establish a plan for maintaining the beauty and landscape of this area.
If you would like to contribute to the Bright Star Memorial Plaza and help ensure that this space remains a beautiful landmark for generations to come, please visit our website or contact the UTPB Office of Advancement. We have naming opportunities for benches, trails, and bridges throughout the plaza.
As we continue forward, let us carry with us the memories of those we have lost, the strength of our community, and the hope that such a tragedy never happens again. May this memorial be a place where we find peace and strength, today and always.
Thank you for being part of this dedication.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sandra Woodley
President
The University of Texas Permian Basin
