Throughout nearly 30 years of employment at St. Bonaventure University, Bob Worthington helped to enhance the St. Bonaventure experience through his carpentry and grounds keeping skills.

Now a Quercus Robur tree will be planted in his memory on Arbor Day.

The dedication will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26, near the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes (located adjacent to the Swan Business Center on campus). The local community is invited to attend.

St. Bonaventure has been recognized as a Tree Campus USA since 2010.

Student members of the Campus Conservationists are encouraged to take an active role in caring for trees across campus and in being stewards of the environment. They volunteer to serve on the Tree Advisory Committee and are involved in service learning projects throughout the year.

“The yearly planting of a tree on Arbor Day is symbolic of what we do every day at Bona’s,” said Robin Hurlburt, director of facilities operations.

This year’s tree planting will be especially meaningful. Worthington, a resident of Cuba, passed away unexpectedly on his 67^th birthday in April 2018. He worked at St. Bonaventure from June 1987 to April 2015.

“Bob once found a class ring near Devereux Hall. Turns out it had been lost for decades. Bob worked hard to find the owner and return the ring. That speaks to his character,” said Hurlburt, who worked with him for nearly three decades. “Bob was always looking out for others — from his coworkers to the students to the alumni that return to campus each year.”

The campus and local communities are invited to attend the tree planting. Light refreshments will be served in the atrium of the Swan Business Center following the dedication.

For more information, please contact Caitlin Webster, director of events and conferences, at (716) 375-2904 or cwebster@sbu.edu.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things. St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #1 regional university value in New York and #2 in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.