Blue Key awards honorary membership to Landon’s Light

NDSU’s Blue Key Honor Society awarded an honorary membership to Landon’s Light, in honor of Landon Solberg during the Blue Key Homecoming Show this fall.

Landon’s Light is a non-profit organization that directly supports children battling medical conditions such as cancer. It was developed in honor of Landon Solberg, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 and passed away in 2019.

This fall, NDSU Blue Key leaders heard more about Landon, his life, leadership, service and drive to learn from Landon’s parents and friends through working with the Landon’s Light Foundation on the Blue Key Homecoming Show. Each year, the society partners with a local non-profit for the show, which then receives proceeds from the event.

“As we moved through the planning process, Landon’s Light shared with us about Landon Solberg; how he led with kindness, carried a positive spirit, enjoyed his academics and served his community from a young age,” said Austin Anderson, Blue Key Honor Society president. “All of these attributes are aligned with the requirements for membership into the Blue Key Honor Society.”

Inspired by Landon, the Blue Key members awarded Landon a membership posthumously as a surprise, presenting his parents with a Blue Key badge and scroll during the Blue Key Homecoming Show.

“As Landon’s parents and NDSU graduates, we were incredibly honored to have Blue Key Honor Society select Landon’s Light Foundation to highlight at their homecoming show. Having Landon recognized as an honorary member of the society was a special surprise and incredibly meaningful for our family. It’s inspiring to see students striving to make a difference in our community and carrying forward the values Landon lived by,” said Travis and Andrea Solberg.

Blue Key members follow the slogan “Serving I live,” and serving others is one way Landon lives on, Anderson shared.

“Although we never knew Landon personally, through our work with Landon’s Light Foundation, we continue to be inspired by the messages that Landon shared with us all,” Anderson said. “It is our shared belief amongst our 31 active members that Landon Solberg is deserving of honorary membership into the society, and it was with great honor that we could deliver Landon’s Blue Key Badge to his family and loved ones at the Homecoming Show on the evening of September 30, 2026.”

That message of living through service resonated with Landon’s Light Executive Director Julie Christianson, “I could not imagine a better way to describe the impact Landon has made and continues to make through the Foundation.”

Blue Key Honor Society recognizes upper-classmen at colleges and universities throughout the nation for leadership and achievement in student life, academics and service to others.