ETBU Student Government Association Holds Dedication Ceremony For Newly Planted Trees

MARSHALL, Texas (1/23/13)- The Student Government Association of East Texas Baptist University held a ceremony Tuesday afternoon, January 22, 2013, to celebrate four newly planted trees on campus. For years, four large oak trees stood on the front lawn of Marshall Hall but had to be removed because of disease. Four new oaks have been planted in their place.

ETBU SGA President Brad Mashburn, a senior from Mesquite, started the ceremony by saying, "Over 75 years ago, four trees were planted on this front lawn. ETBU has had 100 years of growth, as the school grew so did the trees, making them a representation of how far this University has grown. Four new trees have been planted. What does it mean? We look forward to what this next century is going to bring to us. As the four trees that were removed represented the last 100 years, these four new oaks represent the next 100 years.”

Each tree was dedicated to represent each classification of students attending ETBU. SGA members who are representatives of each class read a Bible verse purposely selected.

The verse chosen for the freshman tree is Philippians 1:6, "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Second Thessalonians 1:3 was chosen for the sophomore tree, "We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as is fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”

Junior class representatives chose 2 Peter 3:18 to represent their class, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

The verses for the senior class, Ephesians 4:15-16, "But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.”

The tree planted closest to Scarborough Hall represents the freshman class. The placement represents where students begin by attending classes. The senior class tree is the one planted nearest to the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center were commencement is held representing graduation.

Sophomore and SGA Treasurer Reggie Flowers of Blanchard, La., closed the ceremony with prayer. The ceremony was attended by SGA members, students, faculty, and staff. ETBU celebrated its Centennial in 2012.