October 4, 2019
I am pleased to announce we have scheduled the tree planting ceremony that I talked about in my installation speech. The ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. this Wednesday, October 9 on the pedestrian mall between the Administration Building and Wiekamp Hall.
As a reminder, in my speech I referred to the book The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohllenben and how it explained the complex interactions of trees as a community – much like the university community I was entering as chancellor. In the ceremony on Wednesday, three Winter King Hawthorn trees will be planted near existing ones to add to and expand their community on campus. Governance leaders and the chair of our Advisory Board will join me in planting one of the trees that will be accompanied by a blessing by a representative of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. Then everyone in attendance will be asked to take up a shovel to help with the planting. There will also be refreshments.
This will be another opportunity for us to come together and to celebrate the community that makes IU South Bend so special. I look forward to seeing you there.