A tribute tree planted in memory of Dr. Milton Simmons was a fixture for years in front of the Paul Meek Library’s north windows before sustaining significant insect and winter damage. The original tree was a Japanese maple of specimen size; a larger Japanese maple can cost anywhere between $800 to $2,000. However, purchasing a replacement tree wasn’t necessary.
Across campus, another Japanese maple was part of the Business Administration Building’s landscape. With the building scheduled for demolition to make room for the new Bill and Amy Rhodes Business Building, the tree located near the building found a new home at the library and replaced the damaged tree that was removed.
Moving the tree to its new home was accomplished by the Physical Plant’s grounds team. Chris Virgin, grounds team manager, is pictured above removing the tree in May from the Business Administration Building.
Simmons served as professor and chair of the Department of Psychology and Religious Studies, was twice dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, was twice vice chancellor for academic affairs, and helped to organize the University Scholars and Honors Seminar programs while vice chancellor. He taught in nine Governor’s Schools for the Humanities and was named director in 1990. He was best known as “Uncle Miltie” to hundreds of Governor School students.
