Class of '05 sets its roots

By Eric Rangus erangus@emory.edu

The Class of 2005 is the first to take part in what looks to be Emory’s newest tradition: The planting of its own tree.

A roughly 12-foot-high sugar maple—a tree indigenous to the area—now stands in the small clearing between the Callaway Building and the north side of Candler Library. A plaque at its base signifies it as the class tree.

About 200 students and faculty members walked to the edge of the Quad following convocation to witness and, in some cases, take part in the informal 20-minute ceremony.

After brief words from President Bill Chace and Emory College Dean Bobby Paul, several in attendance read poems that honored trees. English Professor John Sitter read first, reciting a poem titled “Money,” which was written by the American poet A.R. Ammons, who died earlier this year.

Other readers included Paul; Peter Dowell, senior associate dean of Emory College; Sally Wolff King, associate dean of Emory College; and University Secretary Gary Hauk.

“Speaking as an anthropologist, there are many cultures that plant a tree when a child is born,” Paul said afterward, describing the Class of 2005 metaphorically. “This is a very good beginning.”