Overview
The Vanderbilt University Arboretum is cherished by the Vanderbilt community, and notable as a sanctuary in an urban jungle by the surrounding community. As the university looks to the future, a goal is to increase the arboretum certification from Level II to Level III.
Part of the requirements to achieve this next level certification is outreach and engagement. To increase awareness and engagement, the Division of Real Estate, Facilities and Development, in collaboration with the Vanderbilt Student Government (VSG), launched a tree naming competition in 2026.
With the vision to increase community engagement with the arboretum, personifying trees on campus encourages people to notice them, talk about them, and ultimately think differently about their role on caring for campus.
Guidelines and Deadlines
During the fall 2026 Semester, the REFD and VSG will announce the contest theme and submission requirements. The theme and type of submission will change annually, however, the following will remain the same:
- Contest is open to all students (undergraduate, post doc, graduate and professional)
- All submissions must be appropriate, respectful, and original.
- Limit one submission per person or group.
- Submissions must be made through the official contest form provided by Vanderbilt.
Deadlines
- Contest Requirements are announced the Last week of October
- All submission are due by the First Friday of March
- The winner will be announced on Arbor Day
- Late submissions will not be considered
2026: Founder's Oak (AKA) "Acornelius"
The towering white oak northwest of Wilson Hall is nameless no more. The tree will forever be known as Founder’s Oak, thanks to the by the Vanderbilt Student Government.
Affectionately known as (AKA) “Acornelius” the white oak was selected as the inaugural tree for the new Vanderbilt University Anchored & Rooted: Tree Naming Competition.
