The Class of 1963
In anticipation of their 55th reunion taking place in 2018, the Class of 1963 launched an ambitious four-year campaign to raise funds to landscape the entrances leading to the campus from Highway 40. In under a year, the Class raised more than $70K for the project and at Homecoming 2015 they were presented with the $10,000 Finlayson Enhancement Award in recognition of their fundraising efforts.
Bring in the boulders
Landscaping boulders excavated from a farm in Dewittville were transported to Campus and now mark the entrances to the Campus from Highway 40. The boulders were donated by Robert Rogantini of Hinchinbrooke.
Tree planting
A number of well-known current and former Macdonald staff, including drainage expert Emeritus Professor Bob Broughton, helped develop the project. Facilities staff widened the grass verges to accommodate the trees – ensuring that motorists would continue to have good visibility and that farm equipment would be able to move freely. In late June, crews planted 96 trees on the roads leading to the campus. Varieties planted were selected for fast growth, hardiness, form, and aesthetics. Varieties include Gleditsia Triacanthos 'Sunburst' – Sunburst Locusts; Quercus robur “Fastigiata” – English Columnar Oak; Quercus robur “Crimschmidt” – Crimson Spire Oak; Tilia cordata “Corzam”- Corinthian Littleleaf Linden; and Acer rubrum “Armstrong” – Armstrong Red Maple.
During the summer of 2016, close to 100 trees were planted on both sides of the roadways leading from Highway 40. Motorists can expect to drive down a beautiful tree-lined road by the time the Campus celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2032.
Setting it in stone
Left: Dean Geitmann, Peter Knox, Engraver Chloé affiliated with B. Brunet Monuments and Peter Finlayson at one of the boulders that flank the entrances to the campus.
Installation of the Commemorative Plaque
A commemorative plaque now marks the contribution of the Macdonald Class of 1963.
Update
Despite drought-like conditions for most of the summer, the trees have all taken and are thriving. Soon the cold winter winds and snow will come, and campus travelers will have some degree of protection from the wind-screening effect of the trees on the usually icy farm roads. Thanks, Macdonald Class of 1963.