Carson-Newman invites community to March 11 tree planting event

Carson-Newman University invites the community to join in a celebration of the institution’s official transition from College to University with a ceremonial tree planting 4 p.m. Monday, March 11. The event is sponsored by C-N’s Staff Council.

In keeping with its rich heritage, including its symbolic relationship to oak trees, Carson-Newman staff will plant an oak on campus. To commemorate the institution’s founding as Mossy Creek Missionary Baptist Seminary in 1851, and connote C-N’s growth and impact on the world since then, Carson-Newman will provide another 161 oaks that will be planted throughout the region, including on public school grounds, as well as at municipal offices and health facilities. The total 162 oaks represents Carson-Newman’s 162 years of Christian higher education.

“This idea came from a brainstorming session during a Staff Council meeting. We were presented with an opportunity to mark this event and find a way to include not just employees, students and alumni, but also to offer people from across the region something in which they could participate,” said David Tuell, Network and Systems Administrator and chair of Staff Council.

Private homeowners and area churches are also invited to the ceremony and take a seedling to be planted.

“We are excited about the opportunity to celebrate changing the name of Carson-Newman from College to University. We are further excited about the opportunity to share this moment with the surrounding area by giving local families the chance to plant a tree and watch it grow. It seems a great way to bring the University and the community together in a way that touches our past, present and even future,” said Tuell.

The campus celebration will be on the front lawn of Tarr Music Center and will include a community festival.

“The event will go on rain or shine. We will have refreshments like popcorn, cotton candy and sodas, as well as music from our pep band and a tree to take home. I think it will be a wonderful way to denote our new name with something that will last for several generations here and as far as these trees travel,” said Tuell.

Several dozen trees have been reserved by Jefferson County Schools, Jefferson County Commission and the municipal governments of Baneberry, Dandridge, Jefferson City, New Market and White Pine.

For more information contact Stacey Woods at (865) 471-3353. There are a limited number of seedlings and will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.