The strength of the emotional tie people hold for their alma mater is fairly obvious. They wear sweatshirts from their university and put stickers on car windows. They give money for scholarships and brag about the athletic teams.

North Dakota State University's alumni and employees and friends have leapt at the chance to make their support known very publicly. Some 1,000 floor tiles have been snatched up, at $200 to $1,000, both to support the new Alumni Center as well as to make a statement about the experience of being part of NDSU.

A look at four examples:

• Stu who?
• Mama Bison remembered
• Keeping the faith
• Colleagues honor role model
• Tribune columnist liked what she saw