Making Words Matter: USU Peace Tree Ceremony Creates Hope

Over two dozen Utah State University students and faculty joined together for a moment of reflection as they added their messages to the the Heravi Peace Institute’s “Peace Tree” on Jan. 24. The tree was part of a vigil dedicated to sending messages of peace and goodwill into the world.

One student wrote that participation “highlighted the significance of sharing the universal value of peace with those in your community. I’m continually impressed with how the [Heravi] Peace Institute spreads harmony to others through their actions."

The olive tree now covered in personal messages and colorful ribbon is meant to represent the goodwill and commitment of those who are paving the way for peace.

The event was planned to further the Heravi Peace Institute’s mission, which states that peace is not the absence of conflict, but “an enduring commitment to nonviolence and human flourishing that comes with a complex and nuanced understanding of how peace and conflict function in our world.”

Students, faculty and alumni of the institute recognize the perseverance it takes to build peace in today’s world. Through coursework, internships, research, and continuing involvement in the fields of conflict and peacebuilding, those involved not only wish for peace, but they also put in the work to see it through.

“It's been a tumultuous semester so far, so sitting and letting the thoughts stop swirling and spinning allowed me to let go of some anxiety and fear,” one attendee said. “Seeing the notes on the tree reminded me I'm not alone in seeking [peace]. It restored my belief that people are trying their best, which is all I can ask.”

The Peace Tree will be on display in Merrill-Cazier Library’s Special Collections through March, where anyone can continue to add their messages and send their hopes into the world. An anonymous survey also allows those without access to USU’s Logan campus to add messages to the tree.

Jade Bartnicki, Heravi Peace Institute staff and organizer of the event, feels the Peace Tree will continue to be a unifying symbol for the institute.

“It was incredible how readily faculty and students came together to share their hopes for peace. Whether their wishes were for their own lives or the lives of people involved in conflicts halfway across the world, the heart behind them was all the same,” Bartnicki said. “That’s what the institute does — it unites people and reminds them of our common humanity. The Peace Tree will be a lasting symbol of what we’re committed to as an institute as our mission continues to grow.”