Wilbur Wright College Students’ Tree Restoration Project Earns National Recognition

Wilbur Wright College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Theta Omega, was recently published in the sixth edition of Change Makers: Phi Theta Kappa Journal of Student Leadership. This national publication recognizes outstanding student-led leadership initiatives at community colleges.

Theta Omega’s award-winning College Project, “Project TREE (Tree Rescue Emergency Effort),” partnered with The Morton Arboretum and the campus grounds team to restore a group of neglected campus trees and beautify the college’s outdoor space, which was a priority for Wilbur Wright College President Dr. Andrés A. Oroz. Members learned tree-care techniques from Arboretum experts and invited departments to “adopt” a tree. Twenty-eight faculty, students, and staff, along with 15 departments, adopted trees.

To date, the Theta Omega chapter has restored 14 existing trees and planted two new ones. Now, 16 trees have been maintained through departmental adoption.

This project demonstrates the impact of student leadership, collaboration, and responsiveness to community needs.