Tree Planting Provides Living Tribute to Beloved PVM Faculty Member Russell Main

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty, staff and students gathered with friends and family of the late Professor of Basic Medical Sciences Russell Main for a memorial tree planting ceremony conducted in his honor in front of Lynn Hall April 23.

With a strong sense of a void that still remains after the passing November 14 of an admired and highly respected Department of Basic Medical Sciences faculty member, the colleagues, students, friends and family of Dr. Russell Main found a special kind of solace as they gathered for a ceremony in front of Lynn Hall on a cloudy morning in April. The group of close to 80 had come together to see a life-sustaining White Oak tree planted as a living tribute to Dr. Main, who was loved and cherished as a husband, father, colleague, mentor, teacher and research scholar.

Professor Main’s widow Joyce thanked everyone for coming and shared what it means to her family to have a White Oak tree planted in such a great location in her husband’s memory.

The memorial tree planting was suggested by Dr. Main’s widow, Joyce, a professor in Purdue’s School of Engineering Education (ENE). When the idea was shared with Dr. Laurie Jaeger, then head of the Basic Medical Sciences Department, she said she thought it was great, especially given that people still missed Dr. Main daily. The plans came together, leading to the tree planting ceremony April 23 at 8:30 a.m., in a grassy area in front of Lynn Hall, along Harrison Street, near the building’s original main entrance on the west end of the structure.

Brooke Sammons, a landscape architect with Purdue University’s Grounds Department, began the ceremony. “Just look at how many people came out,” Sammons remarked. “He must have been a phenomenal individual and I’m very happy and proud to take part.” She went on to explain that the White Oak selected for the memorial tree planting is a native tree that is good for shade. She also noted that the location is elevated somewhat from the street level, enabling a view northward toward the rest of campus. “So I couldn’t have had the possibility of picking a better location,” Sammons said. “It was just meant to be, just like the rain keeping off.” And indeed, despite threatening skies, not a drop of rain fell until after the ceremony concluded.

Guided by Purdue Landscape Architect Brooke Sammons (foreground) Joyce helped shovel dirt around the base of the tree and was followed by other attendees who wanted to participate in the same way.

One of the ceremony participants was Graduate Research Assistant Tim Arlowe, who spoke on behalf of all of Dr. Main’s current and former graduate students.

Sammons then introduced Joyce, who expressed the family’s warmest thanks to all who contributed to the tree planting, “…to Laurie, and the BMS family, to our ENE family, our friends and neighbors and to Brooke Sammons and the grounds team for selecting this beautiful oak tree to be planted in this ideal spot, next to Russ’s building. Russ would have been so pleased, especially because we are adding to the number of trees being planted following Earth Day,” Joyce shared. “This memorial tree holds so much meaning, and that it is being planted on Russ’s birthday makes it that much more special. I hope you will have a chance to visit the tree over the years to see it grow and to reflect on all of the good things during your visit. Thank you all for your friendship and love and for this beautiful tree in remembrance of Russ.”

Dr. Jaeger also spoke, sharing that when she initially heard the suggestion of planting a memorial tree, she “…had no idea that we would be able to plant it in such a wonderful place, that we’d be able to see every day.” Dr. Jaeger added, “And one of the nice things about it, is that even people who didn’t know Russ Main will get some enjoyment through this. So it is enhancing campus and it’s a way in which Russ’s impact lives on.”

Another person who stepped forward to speak was one of Russ’s graduate students, Tim Arlowe. “I wanted to share a few words on behalf of all of his current and former students,” he said. “I’ve had the privilege of having Russ as a mentor but I also looked-up to him as a dear friend. Under his guidance I’ve learned invaluable lessons that have shaped not only my professional path but lessons that have helped me grow personally. I believe I speak for all the students when I say, Russ was always there for you and gave you the confidence needed to succeed. I believe this tree will always be a representation of the lasting impact Russ has made on all of our lives.”

The memorial tree now is flourishing during the summer growing season!

A faculty colleague in the department, Professor of Basic Medical Sciences Susan Mendrysa, spoke as well. She recalled times when she would hear Dr. Main coming down the hallway in Lynn Hall, because his footsteps were quiet, but always really fast. She also remembered that when Dr. Main was up for tenure, she was impressed by a comment made by a colleague who described Dr. Main as a “thought leader.” She continued, “But most of all we will miss his kindness and having him as a colleague here every day to share our experiences as researchers, as teachers, and just as friends.”
At that point, Sammons offered anyone present the opportunity to take a shovel in hand and help spread dirt around the tree’s base. Joyce and her son and daughter did so first, and were followed by a number of other guests who participated in the same way.

Sammons concluded the ceremony by explaining that the tree will be added to the Purdue Arboretum website as part of the interactive Arboretum Explorer map. In the weeks since the tree planting ceremony, the White Oak has flourished!

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu