March 29, 2018
East Texas Baptist University received recognition as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effectively manage campus trees, connect with the community to foster urban forests, and engage the student population to utilize service learning opportunities centered on campus, community, and forestry efforts. ETBU is one of 28 Tree Campus USA colleges and universities in Texas, and one of over 350 Tree Campus USA colleges in America.
"ETBU and the Arbor Day Foundation share a vision to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty, and hunger," ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. "We want our students to understand the story of God's creation and our responsibility as His stewards to care for the Earth He entrusted to us."
The criteria for the recognition requires a commitment to urban reforestation, environmental stewardship, resource conservation, campus landscape beautification, and student engagement. ETBU was selected for meeting five core standards developed to promote healthy trees and student involvement, including the establishment of a Campus Tree Advisory Committee, evidence of a Campus Tree Care Plan, verification of dedicated annual expenditures for the Campus Tree Program, involvement in an Arbor Day Observance, and the institution of a Service Learning Project.
"It is an honor for our University to be recognized as a part of Tree Campus USA. Participating in the program was an easy decision for us, as our campus is situated in the beautiful Piney Woods of East Texas," ETBU Director of University Operations Chris Crawford commented. "The ETBU Landscaping Department is excited to partner with the Tiger Family to steward the resources on our campus."
ETBU observes Arbor Day annually to provide an opportunity to educate the campus community on the benefits of the trees on campus property and in the community. In 2017, the University celebrated the 145th Arbor Day by planting three dogwood trees in the Grove area of campus.
"I wanted to be a part of planting trees on campus because for me, it signifies the lives being changed here on the Hill. As we attend ETBU, our faith grows and becomes rooted," ETBU senior Taylor Rowlands shared, "The symbolism of a dogwood tree holds deep meaning in my heart. The white flowers of a blooming dogwood are spotted with red in the shape of a cross, signifying the blood of Christ that made us free. I am reminded of my Savior and His atoning sacrifice every day as I walk across campus."
As a member of Tree Campus USA, East Texas Baptist will celebrate the 2018 Arbor Day on Thursday, April 26 by planting three trees in memory of the late ETBU graduate ('05) and Tiger Baseball player James Morgan, who lost his life at the age of 29 in an airplane crash in 2012. Each year, Tiger Athletics honors Morgan's legacy by selecting a current student-athlete to wear number 16, Morgan's Tiger jersey number. ETBU Senior Dylan Sumpter received the James Morgan Award in 2017 and dons the jersey with Morgan's number each game.
"Getting the James Morgan Award is something that will stay with me forever," Sumpter said. "It has been a humbling experience, and I hope I can represent the number well by reflecting God's glory on and off the field. I am reminded to never take anything for granted because we are not guaranteed tomorrow. I hope to serve and give back in the same way Morgan did."
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and value partners. During the last 44 years, more than 25 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, and forests throughout the world. To learn more about partnering with the foundation by participating in Arbor Day, visit https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/.