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Retiring Faculty Celebrated During Traditional Tree Planting
Six trees added to the Wilson Arboretum in tribute to faculty retirees
University News | May 10, 2024
The longtime careers of six Virginia Wesleyan faculty members were honored by their colleagues on May 9 during the University's traditional tree planting ceremony. The event took place on campus in the annex of the Wilson Arboretum, as the original site reached its full capacity in 2020.
Retirees honored included:
- Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Philosophy Department Dr. Larry Hultgren who has served Virginia Wesleyan for 55 years. Dr. Hultgren chose a Water Oak (rescue tree) to commemorate his years of service.
- Professor of Chemistry Dr. Deborah Otis who has been at VWU for 36 years. A Japanese Maple was planted in her honor.
- Professor of German Studies and Chair of Foreign Languages Dr. Susan Wansink who has been teaching at the university for 35 years. A Southern Magnolia (rescue tree) was added to the arboretum in tribute to her service.
- Professor of History Dr. Clay Drees who has taught at Virginia Wesleyan for 32 years. Dr. Drees chose a White Oak to plant in honor of this retirement.
- Associate Professor of Philosophy Dr. Patrick Goold chose a Red Mulberry to commemorate his 30 years of service to VWU.
- Professor of Art Sharon Swift who has 23 years of service to Virginia Wesleyan, chose a Persimmon tree to plant in honor of her legacy.
According to University Archivist Dr. Stephen Mansfield, this marks the 29th anniversary since the opening of the Wilson Arboretum on campus. In the spring of 1995, members of the campus community gathered to plant the first dozen trees in the Wilson Arboretum which was established by the Classes of 1986 and 1995 to honor the memory of Dr. William M. Wilson, who served as dean of from 1971 to 1994.
Dr. Mansfield’s book, Wisdom Lights the Way: Virginia Wesleyan College’s First Half Century, documents the tradition of planting trees to recognize retiring faculty that began in May 1997 when Gordon A. Magnuson, English professor and William R. Shealy, religious studies professor, selected a weeping willow and a Japanese maple for inclusion in the Wilson Arboretum.