The College of Veterinary Medicine campus will have another new, eye-pleasing feature this spring with the unveiling of our Centennial Garden between Greene Hall and Overton Auditorium. This will be a way to honor the special people and animals who have meant so much to us throughout the years. A gift from the late Fran Young is funding the initial phase that will include space for the War Dog Tribute sculpture, which was dedicated April 29. Fran passed away last December but her legacy, and that of her husband, the late Dr. Tyler Young '40, will continue at the college through their generosity.
The second phase of the Centennial Garden project will offer an opportunity for alumni, faculty, students and friends to make memorial donations, which will fund trees, engraved granite pavers and wall of honor, benches and sculptures. Pictured above is the architectural drawing so you can visualize the design and location.
The goal is to have alumni classes purchase 10 Bosque elm trees that will grow to 40-50 feet high and create beautiful umbrella shapes, shading the walkway and benches. An engraved marker for the honorees will be placed at the base of each tree. We also want alumni classes to fund at least 12 teakwood benches that would be appropriately marked with a brass plaque giving "Class of 1959" or similar data. The granite pavers will be engraved with names of pets, individuals or possibly a list of names of an entire class. A black, polished granite slab will be placed on the west side of Greene Hall and will be available to list names of honorees that are memorialized by family, classmates or clients.
We are excited about this endeavor which will spruce-up the eastern part
of the campus. With the magnificent Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital on the western side, we have become one of the best-looking facilities at Auburn University.
The Centennial Garden will be completed in April, so if you are in the area, feel free to visit this great addition to the college campus. We have three events which would be perfect for your visit: Annual Conference, April 7-10; Open House, April 23; and the Detector Dog Conference, April 28-May 1. For information about honoring a special person or animal, please contact Development Officer Sam Hendrix at (334) 844-1446 or e-mail samhendrix@auburn.edu.
