Class Trees
The custom of adopting a class tree, common to many colleges in America, was introduced at the Syrian Protestant College around 1905 or 1906 and soon became one of the institution’s most cherished Commencement traditions. President Emeritus, Daniel Bliss, at that time, secured properly dated stones to be placed beside each tree, preserving the memory of every graduating class. Held in the evening at the close of the Commencement exercises in Assembly Hall, the dedication of these trees became one of the most attractive and symbolic portions of the Commencement Day program. [6]
During Commencement Week, the senior class of the School of Arts and Sciences observed this meaningful and enduring tradition. For three decades, between 1905 and 1937, each graduating class planted a tree on campus as a living memorial of its time at the College. Over the years, these trees became a distinctive and cherished feature of the landscape, symbolizing growth, continuity, and the lasting bond between the institution and its graduates.
By the 1930s, some voices began to suggest alternative forms of commemoration—such as memorial benches or lamps—reflecting changing tastes and ideas about how best to mark the graduating class’s legacy. Nevertheless, the trees remained, standing tall and green across the campus, quietly bearing witness to generations of students and their commitment to preserving a vibrant and welcoming environment. [7]