Grace College’s student-led Stewards of Creation club held its first annual tree-planting ceremony on campus recently. Photo provided.

News Release

WINONA LAKE — Grace College’s student-led Stewards of Creation club held its first annual tree-planting ceremony on campus recently.

The group introduced two new trees to campus: the tulip and redbud, which were funded by NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Company) and donated and planted by Dogwood Hills Tree Farm. The celebration is the school’s first step to reaching its goal of having all 101 native tree species on campus and being recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus.

The initiative was spearheaded by Interim President Dr. John Teevan.

“Soon after assuming my role as interim president, I asked Dr. Nate Bosch, director of the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams at Grace, about a number of stewardship initiatives that would make Grace a more environmental campus,” said Teevan. “I was very pleased to learn how close we were to becoming a Tree Campus. Planting two larger trees on campus with the Stewards of Creation club is an exciting way to start.”

The Stewards of Creation club will be in charge of planning and executing future tree-planting initiatives, including an annual Arbor Day celebration. Senior environmental science student, Eddie Gill, serves as the president of the club.

“It’s our goal to enhance our beautiful campus while educating Grace students about the importance of native plant species,” said Gill. “It’s a joy to play a part in helping our environment and encouraging the community to see the importance of planting trees. I look forward to the day Grace College can officially claim the title of Tree Campus.”