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UB sophomore Kerry Sherman can feel the change in attitude on campus as she walks inside the Students’ Union. There is the familiar hum of students, faculty and staff returning to campus after 18 months of isolation.
“Everyone seems to be happier for the smallest things,” Sherman says.
Now students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to share their gratitude with the UB community through the Student Life Gratitude Tree. Standing proudly on the second floor of the Student Union in the aromas of the Pistachio Dining Room, the tree is filled with messages from students and faculty expressing their gratitude.
Notes of gratitude are written on the leaves which are placed on the tree every “Thankful Thursday”. The tree has accumulated over 48 leaves and continues to grow every week.
Leave can be obtained from the 235 Student Union or the Student Union’s website. A QR code is also available to scan during the tree tour which takes participants directly to the website to register.
Although the tree is a nascent brand of community, it began with humble beginnings during a divisional retreat in January 2020. Inspired by the book “When Tastes Are Not Enough” by Tim Bono, Maria Wallace, Director of student unions, worked with her team to find a space where students could reflect, share their experiences and express their gratitude.
“We thought it would be great if people could visually see something that might spark their interest,” Wallace said. “We thought the Student Union would be a great place because it’s a very active place on campus.
Once they found the perfect location, Wallace and his Gratitude Tree project team, which includes John Kisker and Don Erb, worked to get their point across.
“We wanted students, faculty and staff to step back, pause and think about what others are grateful for and think about what they are grateful for in their day-to-day lives,” says Wallace.
While the tree was officially installed last June, it has remained “hidden behind pipes and curtains,” as Student Union officials described it. Finally, the Tree of Gratitude – awaiting student leaves – was unveiled to the public at the start of the fall semester. Brian Hamluk, vice-president of student life, and dean of students Barbara Ricotta were among the first to file their leave.
“We wanted it to be a reflective experience where students notice the tree and learn more about its purpose,” says Wallace. “Since the revelation, I have passed several times and will see students standing and reading all the answers. It provides that sense of community and gives everyone the opportunity to reflect on what they are grateful for. “
In addition to filling out a sheet in person, students, faculty, and staff have the option to tag someone they are grateful for via email. The person they tagged will receive a message that someone has expressed their gratitude to them and an invitation to view the tree. Even if someone is not on campus, they can fill out a sheet to express their gratitude.
In the future, the tree will acquire a new set of leaves every semester or academic year, depending on the fullness of the tree. As new leaves are added to the tree, it continues to evolve as a representation of the UB spirit.
“I think there is beauty in people willing to share their gratitude and happiness within our community,” Wallace said. “We hope that as the semester progresses, the tree continues to grow as individuals continue to reflect on their experiences. As we returned to a vibrant campus community this semester, the timing was perfect. “
Sherman would understand. His own sheet mentions his close connection to his family.
“They are my favorite people,” she says. “My brother just left for college, which is such a strange experience not having him with him. I really miss him a lot.
But what about his favorite leaf?
“It was definitely ‘being back at UB’ because it’s something we all feel right now. The past 18 months have been such a struggle and the light at the end of the tunnel is finally showing. “
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