View complete article and references at Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina at: https://docsouth.unc.edu/commland/monument/180

Description: The Gathering Circle is a circular area in the arboretum with benches on which people can sit. The ground is covered with stones and there is a plaque bearing the inscription of those who were lost in the Phi Gamma Delta fire on May 12th and other classmates who passed away prior to graduation of the Class of 1997.

Inscription:
THE COKER ARBOR AND ENTRY / A GIFT FROM / THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL / SENIOR CLASS OF 1997 / In memory of the students who died in the / Phi Gamma Delta fire on May 12, 1996 / JOANNA KRISTINE HOWELL / ANNE MCBRIDE SMITH / MARK BRIGGS STRICKLAND / ROBERT JOSHUA WEAVER / BENJAMIN WATSON WOODRUFF / and in memory of our classmates who died before graduation: / JOSHUA MORGAN MEADOR / PATRICK WILLIS PEAVY, JR. / KEVIN ERIC REICHARDT / Dedicated April 25, 1998

Dedication date: 4/4/1998

Creator: David Swanson, Land Architect, Unspecified Dan Stern, Gardener, Unspecified Teresa Crossland, Designer Tom Hunter, Land Architect, Unspecified Andrea Presler, Curator, Unspecified Dave Swan, Foundry

Materials & Techniques: Wood, Stone, Bronze, Foliage

Sponsor: UNC Class of 1997

Subject notes: In 1998, as a gift from the class of 1997, the wisteria arbor was renovated, and a stone gathering circle was added to commemorate the five undergraduates who died in the Phi Gamma Delta fire of May 12, 1996, and three other classmates who died before graduation.

Location: The Gathering Circle is part of the arboretum between Raleigh Street and Cameron Avenue.

Landscape: The Coker Arboretum Wisteria Arbor and Gathering Circle is located off of Cameron Avenue.

City: Chapel Hill

County: Orange

Subjects: Tragedy