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High Point University First Lady Mariana Qubein presided over the tree dedication and turned the first shovel of soil

HIGH POINT, N.C., March 23, 2017 In the years before the American Revolution, colonists gathered at the Liberty Tree, a large elm tree in Boston that served as a rallying point for important events and speeches. High Point University joined in celebrating freedom and commemorating First Amendment Day by planting its own Liberty Tree in David R. Hayworth Park on March 22.

Students, faculty and staff gathered to plant the tree, a Jefferson elm, which now stands on campus as an enduring symbol of freedom of expression. Jon Roethling, curator of the grounds for the Mariana H. Qubein Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at HPU, selected the tree because of its historical significance. Named for founding father Thomas Jefferson, the original plant is one of several hundred American elms planted on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This variety of elm is known for being disease resistant and fast growing.

HPU First Lady Mariana Qubein, whose vision is for the gardens to serve as an inspiration to students and the academic environment on campus, presided over the dedication and turned the first shovel of soil.

We are proud at HPU to express our joy and our freedom through the gardens and arboretum, which focus our attention on the beauty and inspiration that can be found in nature, says Qubein. The planting of a tree is a fitting tradition to serve as a reminder of the freedoms we are so blessed to have in this country.

The tree dedication was part of HPUs second annual First Amendment Day celebration, organized by the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication and supported by Lambda Pi Eta communication honor society, Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity, HPUs chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and HPUs new Speech & Debate Club.

Dr. Dean Smith, assistant professor of communication, started the event last year as part of a larger discussion on free speech and academic freedom on college campuses.

Students and staff plant a Jefferson elm as part of HPUs second annual First Amendment Day celebration, organized by the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication.

First Amendment Day originally grew out of discussions about the declining understanding of Americas First Amendment traditions, especially among young people, and it is now being recognized at dozens of campuses nationwide, says Smith. As a First Amendment scholar, I wanted HPU to be a part of that tradition, including the planting of a Liberty Tree, because of the inspiring environment the gardens create on our campus.

First Amendment Day is a fitting project for HPU because one of our largest academic programs is communication, but the celebration of freedom of expression shouldnt be limited to communication majors. It is a tradition that belongs to all of us.

In addition to the tree dedication, this years First Amendment Day included a discussion on free speech, a First Amendment Free Food Festival that required students to give up their ability to express themselves in exchange for free food, and a keynote address by Nadine Strossen, an author and former president of the American Civil Liberties Union.

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HPU Dedicates Liberty Tree for First Amendment Day - High Point University (press release) (blog)