From the Nominator

Linfield’s symbol is the oak, and our beautiful campus has more than 2,600 trees, including towering giant sequoias, sprawling cedars of Lebanon, and blossoming Yoshino cherries, as well as the Oregon white oaks that ring our commencement green. Led by Environmental Studies Professor Bill Fleeger and Media and Public Relations Manager Kelly Williams Brown, a team of six students put on the first-ever Majestic Tree Week, an NCAA-style bracket competition to crown the finest tree of them all. Their work included building a website; researching and analyzing each individual tree, including height, weight, board feet, unique characteristics, and more; compiling endorsements for the 16 contenders from student groups, professors, and even the dining hall; a social media campaign that garnered hundreds of votes per day; a Majestic Tree Tour held during homecoming weekend; upcycled and reusable signage; a tree debate between professors; a podcast; a river-rock-painting event; students endorsing their favorite trees with colorful rocks; and community and media outreach. The campaign was so successful that we are expanding next year: Our core team will be the Environmental Advocacy and Communications class, but multiple professors across the College of Arts and Sciences will be including tree-related assignments and work in their fall curriculum, leading to biology students assisting with data, art students sketching the leaves, and other efforts.

From the Judges

What an original idea, Tree Bracket! Sadly, not every school has tons of trees to replicate this idea. This was inexpensive, engaging, and educational.