HIGH POINT, N.C., April 8, 2015 – High Point University will continue the tradition of celebrating its arboretum, gardens and vibrant campus by holding its annual Arbor Day Celebration at 4 p.m. on April 23 in the David R. Hayworth University Park. The event is open to the public. Attendees are asked to confirm their reservation by April 21 by emailing reservations@highpoint.edu or calling 336-841-9209.
For the sixth year in a row, HPU will be designated with the “Tree Campus USA” title. HPU is one of eight campuses in North Carolina to receive the honor. Nancy Blackwood, service forester with the North Carolina Forest Service, will make the presentation.
First Lady Mariana Qubein, who has spearheaded the transformation of the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, will preside over the event. Jon Roethling, curator of grounds, will talk about new features, including a reflecting pool and as many as 38,000 new plants that have been added during the past year on the campus, which boasts 400 taxa of trees.
“During this last year, the gardens have shown us how they can play an integral role in student engagement, faculty research and community outreach,” says Roethling. “We look forward to celebrating the many ways our 24 gardens help to cultivate a healthy and inspiring environment for faculty, students and the community.”
Presentations will also be given by students, faculty and staff who contribute to the campus gardens and spearhead community involvement, such as the collaboration between HPU’s School of Education and the HPU Gardens and Arboretum Committee that brought tree planting ceremonies to four elementary schools in celebration of North Carolina’s Arbor Day in March. The programs help children learn how to identify trees in the community and encourage them to study the importance of trees in the natural environment.
As part of the celebration, a Styrax japonicus (Japanese snowbell) will be given out to all attendees. Music will be performed by the HPU Flute Ensemble.
HPU continues to enhance its 380-acre campus with new trees and gardens each year. Recently, the website Best Counseling Schools named The Chapel and Meditation Garden on campus as one of the 50 Best Campus Meditation Spaces.
At HPU, the community gathers each year to celebrate Arbor Day, which was first introduced in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton. The holiday encourages groups and individuals to plant and care for trees. Vann York Toyota and HPU’s Gardens and Arboretum Committee are sponsoring this year’s celebration.
Parking and shuttle service will be available at Vert Stadium on Panther Drive.