Southern Miss Ceremony Recognizes Tree Campus USA Designation

A ceremony was held Tuesday, June 26 on The University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg campus to recognize the university's Tree Campus USA designation by the Arbor Foundation, one of only two in the state. Marking the occasion were Southern Miss President Martha Saunders and members of the university's Tree Management Task Force, from left, physical plant director Dr. Chris Crenshaw; assistant director of special projects for the physical plant David Bounds; Kenneth Rhinehart, an adjunct professor of environmental science; Loren Erickson, superintendent of campus lands; Dr. Saunders; Dr. Mike Davis, associate professor of biological sciences; and Mark Anderson, a Mississippi Registered Forester.

The Tree Campus USA program is the product of a joint partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota North America, Inc. Universities and colleges whose leaders embrace tree conservation and engage students, faculty and staff in that same endeavor are eligible for the recognition. (Southern Miss photo by Kelly Dunn)