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October 31, 2006, turned out to be a real treat at the University of Tennessee Arboretum. The 250-acre facility announced a $500,000 seed donation to establish an endowment, the goal of which is to fund the facility's public programs. Download this image (2.3 MB)

(OAK RIDGE, Tenn.) – Dozens of supporters spent a glorious Halloween afternoon celebrating autumn at the University of Tennessee Arboretum, but the Arboretum itself came away with the real treat.

UT President John Petersen, Joe DiPietro, UT Vice President for Agriculture, and other officials with the UT Institute of Agriculture announced that the Rogers Group has pledged the first major gift toward a $3 million endowment for the cherished regional landmark. The Rogers Group – a business that provides crushed stone, sand and gravel, asphalt, and highway construction – has pledged to contribute $500,000 to establish the Arboretum endowment over the course of five years. An additional $2.5 million is needed to fully fund the effort.

David Rechter, Vice President of the Rogers Group (at podium), was surprised by the renaming of the Arboretum's popular Oak-Hickory Trail. The trail now bears the company's name in honor of their seed donation to the Arboretum Endowment. Looking on from the left are Joe DiPietro, UT Vice President for Agriculture; Norman Dobbs, President of the UT Arboretum Society, UT President John Petersen; Mark Stephens, Rogers Group Division Vice President, and Richard Evans, Director of the UT Forest Resources Research and Education Center and Arboretum. Download this image (1.4 MB)

Among the Rogers' employees on hand for the celebration were Mr. Mark Stephens, Division Vice President, and Mr. David Rechter, Vice President.

Founded by Ralph Rogers in 1908, the privately owned company has an Oak Ridge location and operates other locations in five states. The Group's Oak Ridge facility is adjacent to the 2,260-acre UT Forest Resources Research and Education Center, which manages the UT Arboretum. The Center is one of 10 research facilities operated by the UT Agricultural Experiment Station.

The Rogers Group Vice President David Rechter said the company was honored to contribute. "Supporting the UT Arboretum is a natural fit for our commitment to the communities we work in. When the University of Tennessee approached us to make a lead gift and seed the $3 million initiative to endow the Arboretum, we knew we wanted to be a part of the effort."

The UT Arboretum is actually a 250-acre living museum, outdoor classroom and forested retreat. It attracts more than 40,000 visitors each year, among them Boy and Girl Scouts, students of all ages and local residents. A sustainable source of income is needed to maintain the Arboretum's public programs.

UT President John Petersen emphasizes the importance of the Experiment Station's research and education centers as part of the University's outreach to citizens. The public is invited to "get outdoors at the Arboretum." Download this image (1.2 MB)

"We've always enjoyed a strong relationship with Rogers Group. They have a great company ethic when it comes to people, community, and the environment," said Richard Evans, director of the Forest Resources Research and Education Center. "Because of their leadership and commitment, we're well on our way to ensuring the future viability of the UT Arboretum for generations to come."

Building an endowment is part of a larger vision to expand and care for the Arboretum's plant collections, including dogwoods, hollies, junipers and magnolias. The endowment will help improve facilities and create robust educational and outreach programs. Evans hopes to eventually hire a full-time coordinator to help manage those programs. "We recognize that to continue providing valuable programs and expand collections in meaningful ways, we must have the support of individuals and corporations alike. We're thankful to the Rogers Group for helping us create great momentum," said Evans.

Norman Dobbs, president of the UT Arboretum Society, a non-profit whose members support the facility, acknowledged that the gift represents the beginning of a bright new future and a new vision for the Arboretum. He called the facility a regional treasure and pledged the Society's continued support.

To learn more about supporting the UT Arboretum, contact Richard Evans at (865) 483-3571 or Rhodes Logan at (865) 974-1928.

The annual meeting of the UT Arboretum Society is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Ridge. The meeting is open to the public. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

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Contact:

Richard Evans, UT Forest Resources Research and Education Center, 865-483-3571