Trees planted to commemorate Arbor Day

The Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) music fraternity held a tree planting to commemorate Arbor Day Wednesday, May 1, at the former site of Butler Hall.  

Members of the fraternity planted a red maple tree, dogwood trees and decorative shrubs on the site, and the University donated a commemorative bench that was placed at the site. 

EmaLee Copeland, a junior from Milton and the SAI service committee chair, said the tree planting fulfilled the fraternity’s commitment to community service and improving the environment. 

“We try to do a couple of service projects each year,” Copeland said. “I was walking back to my dorm and noticed this space wasn’t being used, so I decided to see if we could do something with it.” 

Copeland added SAI considers Baird Hall its home base since members spend so much time in the building, which was another reason the former site of Butler was chosen. 

The fraternity raised funds to buy the tree, which Copeland said was chosen to match the fraternity's colors, red and white. 

“Since it’s a shade tree, we figured the music students could come out here and sit on the bench under the tree and just relax after a long day,” Copeland said. “We wanted to make this an SAI spot on campus, which is something we haven’t had before. When people see this place, we hope they can find some peace and tranquility on campus, especially during finals and other stressful times of the year.” 

Sigma Alpha Iota is the international music fraternity founded on June 12, 1903, at the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their motto is "vita brevis, ars longa" which translates to "life is short; art is long." Visit EagleLink for more information about this organization.  

For information about programs in the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/mtd, email mtd@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2473.