Dubbed the 50th anniversary tree, Moraine Valley Community College planted the swamp oak to help commemorate the college’s five decades of providing a rock solid foundation.
Moraine Valley Community College has made its campus greener with the addition of a new tree planted in celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary. The swamp oak tree was planted on Arbor Day, a day dedicated to public tree-planting across the country, as a symbol of the college’s “rock solid” foundation.
“This tree will be a friendly reminder to all students, faculty, staff and guests, of this important milestone in the college’s history,” said Dr. Pamela Haney, vice president of Academic Affairs. “It will grow and become strong over time much like Moraine Valley has done for five decades and will continue to do for many more. It is our hope that it will be here for another 100 years as a hallmark of the deep roots of Moraine Valley.”
Moraine Valley planted the first tree on its campus in 1972, and has received a Tree Campus USA credential every year since 2010. “The college has built a long tradition of maintaining a beautiful natural landscape. From the hundreds of trees that line our sidewalks and frame our campus borders to the expansive Nature Study Area, Moraine Valley has always been a peaceful, green space,” Dr. Haney said.
Assisting college officials with the planting were kids from the Children’s Learning Center, who made seeded bird feeders to hang on the branches. Denise Lumpkin, director of the center, said the children and teachers were excited to participate in the festivities in April, which also is the Month of the Young Child.
