The life of student Steven R. Agee II was commemorated by a plaque and conference room, named in his honor, in a dedication ceremony Monday.

On Nov. 23, 2011, Agee, 22, was shot and killed at an off-campus party about a mile north of campus. On April 1, Chaz Thrailkill, 21, accepted a 30-year murder plea agreement in Agee’s death.

The plaque with the marker is outside the Campus Life Building and the Steven R. Agee II Memorial Conference Room is in the Student Association Suite.

Eric Weldy, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, was the first to give his remarks at the event. He said the ceremony was a time to remember Agee’s life and recognize his achievements as a member of the Huskie family.

“There is something quite amazing about seeing a young person overcome life’s challenges, grow and develop, and become the kind of man and woman that their parents and their family members can be proud of,” Weldy said. “Today we celebrate, recognize and remember one of those young adults.”

Student trustee Elliot Echols had been friends with Agee since elementary school and ended up being roommates with him at NIU. Black Male Initiative, a group that supports success and graduation among NIU’s black male students, was the first organization Echols and Agee joined.

“Steven became the face of BMI. He was always willing to go above and beyond to reach the people who felt they didn’t or wouldn’t fit in BMI,” Echols said.

Echols said Agee’s outreach did not stop there and he was trying to reach even higher. Agee became president of Kappa Alpha Psi during his sophomore year.

“He rooted for the underdog. Seeing people succeed despite their perceived capabilities motivated Steven to succeed … . Daily I reminisce on times we spent together, the lessons I learned from him and the importance of his legacy,” Echols said. “I ask that we remember Steve and remember the importance of making a difference in the lives of others.”

Kimberly Agee, Steven Agee’s mother, said although she was given only 22 years and 10 months with her son, he was able to make a difference in the community in a short time.

“He didn’t leave a legacy because he was a basketball player, a baseball player, a high-powered attorney … he left a legacy because he was just being himself,” Agee said.

Agee told the crowd the vision she had when she saw her son’s body.

“It just came to me: Don’t let my death be in vain,” Agee said.

Agee holds fundraisers in honor of her son to raise money so students can go to college. She asked everyone to donate to the Steven R. Agee II Scholarship Fund.

“We’re not beating the battle of stopping the people with the saggy pants. We’re not beating the battle of people with guns. We need to beat the battle by sending someone off to college,” Agee said.