Huntington Times

Marshall University has planted an Artemis Moon Tree sapling on its Huntington campus. The sweetgum tree, which is native to Appalachia, was grown from seeds that traveled around the moon. It now stands outside Old Main, the university's administrative building.

The sapling was awarded to Marshall University through a competitive grant process led by Rick Gage, a faculty member of the College of Science. It is believed to be the first moon tree in West Virginia under NASA's Artemis program. The Moon Tree program, administered by NASA and the U.S. Forest Service, continues a tradition from the Apollo era when seeds orbited the moon and were planted on Earth as symbols of hope and exploration.

"This tree has traveled farther than any human being ever has," said Gage. "But what makes it special is what it represents: hope and a future." He emphasized that these samplings are entrusted to select institutions like Marshall University to ignite curiosity and foster learning.

The sweetgum sapling is part of several being planted at educational institutions nationwide. This project underscores the spirit of exploration and education's role in advancing humanity's understanding of the universe.

"This tree enhances the beauty of our campus," stated Avi Mukherjee, university provost. He noted that while primarily driven by Marshall's Department of Natural Resources and Environment, it also symbolizes interdisciplinary collaboration across fields such as physics and astronomy.

The dedication coincides with Marshall University's new capital campaign aimed at funding scholarships, grants, and a planned campus arboretum. "This tree is just the beginning," said Wesley Stites, dean of the College of Science. He expressed interest in feedback regarding plans for an arboretum and invited participation through a survey available online.

Media assets from Monday’s event include a photo gallery and video available for download.