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Alumni & Friends

Tree Planted at 91³Ô¹Ï in Honor of Larry Robinson

Jun 10, 2026

Friends, family and former colleagues gather in front of McFarland Hall and watch as a tree is planted.

VALLEY CITY – Friends, family, and former colleagues of Larry Robinson gathered Wednesday morning to plant a tree in his honor on the 91³Ô¹Ï campus.

A 1971 graduate of Valley City State, Robinson began his career at 91³Ô¹Ï in 1975 and retired in 2024 after nearly 50 years of dedicated service to the university’s mission. He also served 32 years as a Senator in the North Dakota State Legislature. Robinson passed away in September 2025.

Through donations from the District 24 Democrats and the 91³Ô¹Ï Foundation staff, a 12-foot Accolade Elm was purchased and planted in his memory in front of McFarland Hall.

The Accolade Elm – a fast-growing hybrid resistant to Dutch Elm disease – replaces the iconic American Elm that previously stood in front of McFarland Hall but was damaged in a major storm last summer and had to be removed.

The tree planted in Robinson’s honor is one of several new trees that have been planted on the 91³Ô¹Ï campus recently to replace those lost in the storm last June.

Larry Robinson's family members pose for a picture near the tree planted in his honor

Photo: Family of Larry Robinson attended the tree planting ceremony, including wife Mary Lee, grandson Jax, and son James.