Newly planted trees on Summerville Campus officially dedicated

Members of the Sand Hills Garden Club, who watched the planting of two signature trees in February, returned to Augusta University’s Summerville Campus for a dedication ceremony recognizing their club and the generous gift that made the trees possible. A plaque placed in front of the newly planted deodar cedar just inside the entrance reads: “Given by members of the Sand Hills Garden Club, a member of The Garden Club of America. This tree commemorates the 100th Anniversary of our 1927 charter.” 
 
“Because of the vision and the generosity of the Sand Hills Garden Club and the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund at the Community Foundation for the CSRA, this space will once again reflect the strength, the legacy, the beauty and the resilience of this university and our community,” said AU President Russell T. Keen. “The Garden Club is helping not only restore this landscape, but the spirit of a place cherished by both our campus and the entire Summerville community.”  

Garden Club members live, work and play near the Summerville Campus. They exercise at AU, walk their dogs on the history walk and their children and grandchildren ride their bikes and run and play in the grass. Some members describe AU as, in some ways, an extension of their own backyards. After Hurricane Helene tore through Augusta in September 2024, destroying trees and leaving widespread damage in its wake, the campus they enjoy was another place where they felt a deep sense of loss. Working with the university after the storm was a natural fit and offered a meaningful way to simultaneously honor the club’s milestone anniversary. 

“We all witnessed the significant loss of trees on the campus of Augusta University, a campus that not only serves the students, but is also a part of life for so many of us in Augusta,” said Cathy Dolan, president of Sand Hills Garden Club. “We were moved by the university’s comprehensive tree care plan and its commitment to renewal. University leaders’ dedication inspired us to work alongside them in strengthening and enhancing these grounds for generations to come.”  

Dolan acknowledged other organizations that joined the restoration effort to raise the $150,000 for the trees. They include the Trustees’ Garden Club of Savannah, The Garden Club of America and its Civic Improvement Committee, as well as a strong partnership with the Community Foundation of the CSRA. Sand Hills Garden Club worked diligently to raise matching funds for one of two substantial grants it received from the Community Foundation’s Hurricane Helene Crisis Fund. 
 
“As we celebrate our centennial, this restoration initiative reflects the Sand Hills Garden Club’s enduring commitment to stewardship, sustainability and the preservation of the natural beauty that enriches our community. We are especially grateful for those whose generosity made this project possible,” Dolan said.  

“The trees planted through this effort will do far more than replace what was lost. They will shape the experience of every student, faculty member and visitor who spends time here, those who walk these grounds every day,” Keen said. “The gift is more than just a contribution. It reflects a deep commitment to our campus, to our community and to Augusta University students.” 

Shell Berry, a native Augustan and president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the CSRA, stewards the crisis fund and explained that this project was particularly exciting because of Sand Hills’ commitment to conservation and historic preservation.  

 “Anyone who drives down Walton Way and did so right after the storm saw the devastating impact. I don’t know that we even understood how much of that was the elegant, gorgeous trees, particularly the 250-year-old deodar cedar. And to see that toppled… broke our hearts,” said Berry. “So, I think it represents hope. It represents that when we combine our efforts together, we can do things like put a magnificent tree back and hope that 250 years from now, people are still talking about it. What better way to honor not only Augusta University, but the community at large. It’s such a visible reminder of regrowth and the power to do big things.” 
 
Another plaque installed ahead of the dedication ceremony memorializes the original deodar cedar, a Georgia Champion tree, that stood at the entrance along Walton Way. It reads: “Through seasons of change and decades of growth, this 250-year-old cedar stood as a symbol of strength, scholarship, and community, offering shade and quiet reflection to all. It witnessed countless beginnings – first days, commencements, friendships, and traditions. Though Hurricane Helene claimed its branches, its spirit remains deeply rooted in Augusta University’s history.”