GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College was awarded 2022 Tree Campus Higher Education recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. This is the College’s 4th year of recognition.
Thiel College is one of 24 campuses in Pennsylvania to earn this distinction.
“Trees not only play a vital role in the environment but also in our daily lives,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Having trees on college and university campuses is a great way to show a commitment to students and faculty’s overall wellbeing.”
The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. Thiel College achieved this distinction by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education’s five core standards, including establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.
One of Thiel College’s oldest landmarks is Brother Martin’s Walk. The tree-lined walk was created in 1874. Classes were dismissed and Thiel faculty, students and staff planted the first 100-plus maple trees. Eventually the count numbered as high as 392 trees. These trees formed two rows and continues today as the main walkway on campus and is central to annual gatherings and celebrations. Students traditionally march with their entire class along that walk just twice, once during the opening convocation at the start of their first year and once during Commencement Exercises.
The Arbor Day Foundation is one of the world’s largest nonprofit conservation organizations dedicated to planting trees. The Foundation plants and distributes more than 10 million trees each year. Its Tree Campus Higher Education program was founded in 2008 and provides a simple framework for colleges and universities to grow their community forests, achieve national recognition, and create a campus their students and staff are proud of.