A memorial bench and posthumous degree have been awarded to Carol Rofstad, more than 50 years after her death.
The Illinois State University student’s murder has gone unsolved since she was found slain outside her off-campus sorority house on the night of December 22, 1975.
Last year, ISU alumna Nicole Roach helped coordinate a fundraiser for the bench with the support of the university’s department of psychology, Rofstad’s family and her sorority, Delta Zeta.
Surviving members of Rofstad’s immediate family gathered Monday afternoon for a public unveiling of the bench.
“The thought and the hope is that this plaza will be a place of peace and joy for you all as you come back to visit,” said Levester Johnson, ISU vice president for student affairs.
Additionally, the university awarded Rofstad with a bachelor’s degree in psychology which she was pursuing at the time of her death.
“Carol was a hardworking student dedicated to her studies and to the wellbeing of the community around her,” Johnson said. “Today, I am pleased to officially acknowledge that hard work and dedication by presenting this posthumously award degree to Carol for her time at the institution.”
Rofstad’s memorial bench was placed in Redbird Plaza and near DeGarmo Hall, where the psychology department is located.
