HOUGHTON - What is now a bare stretch of campus at Michigan Technological University will soon be a timberland of trees memorializing people in the community.
Local resident Dan Lorenzetti hopes to see a Memorial Grove of trees planted at the east end of campus where four large trees once stood before being removed to expand the road.
In an partnership with Michigan Tech, Lorenzetti said a grove of trees will be planted - a living honor of individuals, families and organizations in the Copper Country - and Michigan Tech will have trees dotting the entrance to campus again, which is a win-win situation.
"There's so many of these great names that are just synonymous with the Copper Country that have so much history," he said. "We think these names are going to really become part of this memorial project."
About 150 trees are expected to be planted along U.S. 41 at the eastern end of campus, he said. Trees will line the far eastern approach, starting at the Michigan Tech welcome sign near the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, and dot along the road to fill a parcel of land were the broomball arenas used to make a home behind a digital sign. The broomball arenas, this year, were placed on the other side of the digital sign, between a large parking lot and the Walker Arts and Humanities Center.
The bulk of the trees will be placed in the aforementioned areas, however, Lorenzetti also wants to see the grassy islands, located between lanes on the new stretch of road, developed further.
"I want to see if we can enhance the beauty of this whole new road project," he said.
Lorenzetti first became aware of a plan to reforest the entrance of campus from the director of facilities at Michigan Tech.
"President (Glenn) Mroz is very interested to do anything they can to beautify campus and make improvements," Lorenzetti said.
With the vast number of trees planned to be planted in Memorial Grove, it was suggested to expand the project over 15 years time where only a certain number of trees would be planted each year.
"My immediate reaction was, within 15 years, I want the trees to be on a good start and be on a significant roll towards their growth," he said.
Lorenzetti then approached President Mroz with the proposal and, with Paula Nutini, director of annual giving at Michigan Tech, began planning for Memorial Grove.
"This is something that could help Michigan Tech and provide a way for all sorts of individuals in the Copper Country to become real active participants in something going on at Michigan Tech," he said.
The grove will serve as a long-lasting memorial for anyone wishing to purchase a tree in honor of a family, another individual or even an organization.
"Paula and I have old family names too in the Copper Country and I'm excited I'm doing this, too, with Paula because we understand how important this is to our families, children and grandchildren," he said.
Coniferous and deciduous trees, available for $600 each, can be purchased in honor of businesses or people who are still living, also. Each tree will be marked and mapped with a plaque, Lorenzetti added.
Facilities management at Michigan Tech will select three or four different deciduous and coniferous trees.
"The nice thing about it is it is a great example of community-university partnership," Nutini said. "You're helping to beautify campus and the community because that is our entrance to Houghton there."
Lorenzetti said Michigan Tech is a steam engine for the community, citing the partnership between Michigan Tech and the community.
"What is good for Michigan Tech is good for every single individual in the Copper Country," Lorenzetti said.
Over the course of the month, Nutini and Lorenzetti will be taking orders for trees to be planted in Memorial Grove, hoping to wrap up the entire project by Christmas.
"We have had an overwhelming, heartwarming response and some of the e-mails have been so touching already," Lorenzetti said.
To purchase a tree for a $600 charitable donation to the Michigan Tech Fund, contact Nutini at 487-3609 or e-mail at pjnutini@mtu.edu, or Lorenzetti at 482-2731 or dan@superiorblock.com.
Stacey Kukkonen can be reached at skukkonen@mininggazette.com.
