DATE: October 03, 2007

CONTACT: Kirby Player, (864) 656-3662
kplayer@clemson.edu

WRITER: Alex Hill, (864) 656-2061
ahill2@clemson.edu


Tree planting to honor victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy

CLEMSON – Clemson University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences will conduct a memorial tree-planting ceremony in remembrance of the Virginia Tech victims at 5 p.m. Friday next to Tillman Hall.

The plaque that will mark the tree being planted in memory of Virginia Tech victims. The overcup oak tree that will be planted was donated by Bartlett Tree Experts, an urban forestry company based in Charlottesville, Va.

Clemson University faculty who are Virginia Tech alumni; Josh Bell, Clemson’s undergraduate student body president; other Virginia Tech alumni; and Alan Jones of Bartlett Tree Experts will give remarks. Pat Layton, chairman of the department of forestry and natural resources, will act as emcee for the event. The Clemson Memorial Carillon in Tillman Hall will ring 32 times in memory of those who lost their lives.

“This overcup oak that is to be planted will serve as a living memorial to all Virginia Tech Hokies and to those who visit the Clemson University campus that for a time in April of 2007 were all Hokies,” Layton said.

A bronze plaque on a marble base will be placed at the foot of the tree to inform the public of the oak’s significance.

More than 1,000 Virginia Tech alumni from the area have been invited to the event.

In the event of rain, the event will be moved to Brackett Hall auditorium.

END