Dedicated Tree Program

The Decker Arboretum continues to plant trees for the future and has a Dedicated Tree Program which allows, through donations, for trees to be planted in honor of individuals or occasions. A display label designating the dedicated is placed on the tree. For more information about this program, call the Arboretum Office at 410-778-7726.

Jeffrey Baines--1998
Green Ash "Patmore," Fraxinus pennsylvanicum

Jeffrey T. Baynes '00 was a psychology major and resident assistant at Washington College. He volunteered to tutor local school children in the Target Tutoring program, was an active participant in the Emerging Leaders seminar, and was a strong supporter of the rowing team. He had been selected as a Merck Scholar to do scientific research on campus during the summer of 1998. Baynes was killed in an early morning automobile accident on April 5th, 1998.

He is survived by his parents, Gary T. and Linda Baynes of Baltimore, and a brother David, a student at Mount St. Mary's College. His family endowed a scholarship fund at Washington College in Jeff's memory.

Douglass S. and Libby Cater
European Beech, Fagus sylvatica L.

Many thanks to Douglass and Libby Cater for their exemplary years of service and dedication - To Washington College - Class of 1991

Douglass Cater was president of Washington College from 1982 through 1990. The former journalist and author who once served as special assistant to President Lyndon Johnson led Washington College through its most successful fundraising effort in the history of the college, raising $43 million. Not only did his efforts pay off in revitalizing the campus with facilities such as the Casey Academic Center and the Johnson Lifetime Fitness Center, he also ushered in academic initiatives such as the Honors Program, the Goldstein Program in Public Policy, the McLain Program in Environmental Sciences and the Society of Junior Fellows which funds student research projects in all disciplines. A champion of what he called an "endangered species," the small liberal arts college, Douglass Cater strove to elevate Washington College by increasing endowment and enrollment, generating more scholarship money, raising academic standards, and improving faculty enhancements and facilities.

The brick-paved walkway that runs through the center of campus was named the Cater Walk in his honor. He died on September 15, 1995. His widow, Libby Cater Halaby, now serves on the College's Board of Visitors and Governors.

Eysselle N. and Edward E. Coswell
American Beech, Fagus grandifolia

Benefactors of the College

Robert H. Clifford '36, Friend and Physician
American Beech, Fagus grandifolia

Robert H. Clifford '36 was a native of Mountain Lakes, NJ. As an undergraduate, he was a member of Kappa Alpha and was active in athletics and the drama society. A chemistry major, he earned a medical degree and practiced medicine at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He died on May 15, 1959.

Helen Schaefer Gibson--May 15, 1982
Weeping Higan Cherry, Prunus x subhirtella

Founder, for 30 years of inspiration, creativity. Woman's League.

Helen Schaefer Gibson served as First Lady of Washington College from 1950 until 1970. During the 20-year tenture of her husband, College President Daniel Z. Gibson, Washington College grew and prospered as a national liberal arts institution. The physical plant underwent extensive development, the curriculum was redesigned, student enrollment was nearly doubled, the faculty was strengthened, and endowment was raised. To provide scholarship money for students as well as to build an intellectual community for women, Helen Gibson helped found the Women's League of Washington College.

A gifted pianist, Mrs. Gibson was trained at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She infused the college community with her love of music that manifested itself in many ways - among them the creation of an annual concert series which celebrates its 47th season this year, the addition to the curriculum of a music major, and the construction of a performing arts building that bears her husband's name. Dr. Gibson died in 1984. Mrs. Gibson remains an active and valued member of the Washington College community.

Hazel Horton Goldstein--December 6, 1997
Tulip Poplar, Liriodendron tulipfiera

Planted in loving memory of Hazel Horton Goldstein

Hazel Horton Goldstein was born in Newport, Tennessee. From there, she came to work at the Department of Agriculture in Washington during Franklin Roosevelt's administration. She graduated in 1939 from law school and came to Maryland in 1947 to work for the State Senate Majority Leader. That same year, she met and married Louis L. Goldstein, then a young senator. Together Hazel and Louis raised three children, Philip, Louisa, and Margaret '76. For the next 48 years, Mrs. Goldstein was active not just as the wife of an elected official, but as a dynamic and able political adviser, a practicing attorney, confidant, loving mother, and best friend.

Arthur W. Greims, Jr. '36, Killed in action - WWII
Pin Oak, Quercus palustris

Arthur W. Greims, Jr. '37, formerly of Drexel Hill, PA, was president of the Kappa Alpha fraternity more than 50 years ago. He played on the undefeated football team of 1934, and played baseball for Coach Tom Kibler with the legendary Bill "Swish" Nicholson and Louis L. Goldstein. He withdrew from college at the beginning of his junior year and joined the U.S. Army. He served in the European Theatre during World War II, and was killed in action shortly after Nov. 27th, 1944, before the Battle of the Bulge. John Lord '35, a Kappa Alpha brother and classmate of Greims, dedicated a pin oak tree in his memory. His tree is identified by a plaque bearing his initials, AWG, and was planted near Cain Gymnasium and moved in front of Bunting in the 1980s.

Ann Hollingsworth McLain--May 15, 1982
Weeping Higan Cherry, Prunus x subhirtella

For leadership, generosity, and devotion. Women's league.

Ann Hollingsworth McLain served as First Lady from 1973 until the death of her husband, pyrotechnic chemist Joseph H. McLain '35, in 1981. Dr. McLain was professor of chemistry, then Dean, then President of Washington College. Mrs. McLain was graduated from Washington College in 1940-part of a Washington College legacy that includes her brothers Vic '31 and Colin '33. A bright math student and a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority in college, she also participated in student government and athletics. At graduation she was awarded the Harshaw Medal for Most Representative College Woman. She and her husband returned to Chestertown in 1946 when Dr. McLain was first hired to teach chemistry. As he advanced through the ranks, her role grew too, and she became the representative First Lady: smart, gracious and hardworking. For more than 35 years, she opened her heart and home to the Washington College community.

After Dr. McLain's death, Ann McLain played a leadership role in establishing the Joseph H. McLain Chair in Environmental Sciences and the McLain Scholarship, and is still active with the Alpha Chi Omega alumni. The McLain Program supports lectures and symposia featuring visiting scientists and other professionals on matters of environmental interest, particularly relating to the Chesapeake Bay.

Dr. Gilbert Wilcox Mead, President of Washington College
Norway Maple, Acer platanoides

The presidency of Gilbert W. Mead, who served from 1933 until 1949, was highlighted by the visits of several nationally prominent figures, a growing enrollment, campus additions, and an enhanced academic reputation for the school.

Mead's inauguration was a huge event for Chestertown, as a crowd of 15,000 people flocked to see President Franklin Delano Roosevelt receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. This was only the second time since George Washington's visit in 1789 that a U.S. President visited campus. At commencement exercises in 1942, in honor of the 50th anniversary of co-education, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt visited campus, along with Adele France and writer Sophie Kerr Underwood. The College's recognition of Sophie Kerr set the stage for what has become the largest undergraduate literary prize in the nation. Then in 1946, President Harry S. Truman spoke at commencement ceremonies.

Under Dr. Mead's watch, the Hodson Trust began making philanthropic gifts to the College and several building projects were completed, including Hodson Hall, Bunting Library, Dunning Science Hall. Also during this time, the College acquired the historic Hynson-Rinngold House as a home for the college president.

At a time when the nation was in the midst of a severe economic crisis, Mead managed to maintain enrollment figures. As male students left school to fight World War II, enrollment of women surpassed that of men for the first time in the history of the college. After the war, enrollment swelled again. Dr. Mead died in office, while planning for the construction of Somerset Hall was underway.

Joyce Helen Poetzel '60
Southern Magnolia, Magnolia grandifolia

In memory of Joyce Helen Poetzel '60

Joyce E. Poetzl '60, a former history major, a social member of Zeta Tau Alpha, and a business executive in Washington, D.C., had been an enthusiastic Class Agent for Washington College and a loyal and active alumna. She remained especially close to the sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha, who initiated her into full Zeta sisterhood a few months before her death on June 8, 1996 from pancreatic cancer. Working in Washington, she had formed a close friendship with a group of fellow businesswomen calling themselves the "Steel Magnolias." The two groups of women came together on campus on October 16, 1996 when the Steel Magnolias dedicated a Southern Magnolia tree next to Minta Martin Hall as a living memorial to her. As a member of the George Washington Society, Poetzl left part of her estate--amounting to more than $100,000--to Washington College.

Pearl Griffin Stewart '05, Class '05 - May 18, 1985
Saucer Magnolia, Magnolia x soulangiana

Pearl Griffin Stewart '05, a former teacher and active volunteer, was honored by the Alumni Council in 1954 with one of the first Alumni Citations, recognizing her civic work with the Girl Scouts, the Maryland Federation of Women's Clubs, and the U.S.O., as well as her devotion and service to Washington College. She had been an elocution student of Sophie Kerr, the Eastern Shore writer who established the famous Sophie Kerr Prize at Washington College. Mrs. Stewart gave the College several items of Sophie Kerr memorabilia. In 1976 she established the Pearl Griffin Stewart Medal in Drama at Washington College, to be awarded each year to a graduating senior. She was one of the first participants in the Elderhostel programs. When she returned to campus for her eightieth class reunion, the College community honored her as the oldest living alumna by planting and dedicating a magnolia. She died in 1987, at the age of 99.

The Daughters of the Cincinnati
American Beech, Fagus grandifolia

In Memory of George Washington: Bicentennial 1932

The campus of Washington College was selected by the National Society of the Daughters of the Cincinnati as the location for the memorial tree which the Society placed in Maryland as one of the memorials, located in each of the states in which the Society is represented. The Society which is composed of direct descendants of officers in forces of General Washington, who organized the Society of the Cincinnati in 1784, placed on the Washington College campus a marker to memorialize the gift. Mrs. Clara de Russy Tucker, of New York City, was National President of the organization during 1932 and Mrs. J. Harper Skillin, of Easton, represented the Society in Maryland. The presentation of the memorial was accomplished through the efforts of these two ladies.

Class of '42--May 15, 1982
Red Maple, Acer rubrum

To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Washington College.

Class of '65

Weeping Higan Cherry, Prunus x subhirtella

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