Plane Trees Take Root

Six "plane" trees are now planted outside Luek Hall to honor three retired professors in the Department of Psychology at Millersville University.

The trees, which are described as champions when it comes to absorbing air pollution and filtering fine particles from the air, were dedicated on July 16.

They were donated by retired professors Dr. Frederick Foster-Clark, Dr. Claudia Haferkamp and Dr. Helena Tuleya-Payne to honor the professors' dedication to MU's psychology department and to enhance the beauty of the landscape surrounding Luek Hall.

The idea to dedicate the trees was thought up by Foster-Clark in 2020, after 31 years of working at MU. Haferkamp and Tuleya-Payne soon jumped on board, eager to bring life back to the lawn in front of the building after all of the ash trees in the area died off. They hope to create a welcoming landscape for students, faculty and staff to use in between classes, just as the former ash trees did.

Dr. Justin Egresitz, Dr. Alex Johnson and members of the Technology and Engineering Education Collegiate Association made a plaque to accompany the plane trees. Engineering students helped cast the plaque's pattern and pour the bronze.

The plaque reads:
"In appreciation to Faculty Emeriti Dr. Fred Foster-Clark, Dr. Claudia Haferkamp, and Dr. Helena Tuleya-Payne. Planted in June 2022."

Dr. Lara Willox, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, spoke at the dedication, "The planting of these trees symbolizes growth, strength and resilience-qualities that these faculty members have embodied throughout their careers," says Willox.

Each of the three professors, known as the "tree trio," gave a small speech on why they chose to donate the trees. Haferkamp, who was a professor at MU for 28 years, made a humorous speech about reducing her carbon footprint on campus.

Some notable attendees included Dr. Susan P. Luek, after whom the building is named, and other retired and current MU psychology professors.