On Friday, September 16, a Bhutanese flag joined the fourteen others hanging in the Cafeteria to honor the memory of Jigme Nidup ’19, who was reported missing in the fall of 2015, and subsequently reported dead on Sept. 20, 2015 after drowning while swimming in the Conodoguinet creek.

President Neil Weissman said in an email on Sept. 26 that the flag was donated by two employees who wish to remain anonymous.

The Bhutanese flag currently hangs in a separate row from the other flags, next to the flag of the United Kingdom. It serves as a public reminder of Jigme Nidup’s life.

Other memorials on campus dedicated to Nidup include a Bhutanese Pine tree located near Allison Hall and a Thangka painting presented by Nidup’s family during an April 17 memorial held for him in Allison. The painting is currently displayed in the Koh Room of the Waidner-Spahr Library.

Vice President and Dean of Student Life Joyce Bylander stated in an email on Sept. 26 that the flag’s erection was arranged by International Admissions officers in conjunction with Student Life. This installation fulfills the college’s plans for a series of memorials on campus dedicated to Nidup.

Peter O’Donnell ’19, a friend of Nidup’s, says he “knew it was the Bhutanese flag the second I saw it. For whatever reason, I was immensely comforted by that.”

Thomas Powars ’20 finds the installation “…interesting. I heard he [Jigme] was a pretty popular guy, and I think it’s cool they honored him that way… It’s there as a reminder, for people who care.”

Matthew Berman ’18, while supportive of the idea, was critical of the execution: “it is very much overdue, but I think it’s a nice gesture, as we don’t really have anything for him on campus.”

According to the Dickinson College website, two memorial services were held last year, on Sept. 20 and April 17. In addition, during the residency of Buddhist monks from Drepung Monastery’s Gomang College, the monks created a sand mandala which was later poured into the Conodoguinet in tribute to Nidup.

Bylander further said that some people from the college keep in contact with Jigme’s parents, and that further memorials were conducted in Bhutan. In an article published by The Dickinsonian last year, Jigme was remembered by former President Nancy Roseman as “a soft-spoken and considerate young man” who was “always eager to share.”