Alec Toufexis
INTD-Scientific Writing
Geneseo, New York

The Greek Tree
By Alec Toufexis
From far away it looks as if an outlandish blue tree has taken root in the Sturges quad. However, upon closer inspection, the words, “Geneseo’s Got the Goods” become visible. It is then realized that this tree isn’t the manifestation of some unnatural mutation but is the product of a Geneseo Tradition. Before sororities and fraternities began painting on The Greek Tree during the cover of night, it was just one of the many trees that drape the numerous walkways with their shade.
The Greek Tree, along with it’s neighbor, the Suess Spruce draw many eyes throughout the day, however, only The Greek Tree has managed to withstand the innumerable layers of paint. It embodies the notion that the domains between nature and humans are converging. Upon looking at it, I thought, “How has this tree withstood all of this paint?” and “Why is a prank viewed as a symbol of Geneseo pride?” I guess it symbolizes that the worlds of humans and nature can coincide.
Many people probably think of the tree as an eyesore or a result of a prank. Although there are negative views on the tree, I think of it as more of a triumph. It is amazing that this symbol of Geneseo began as a seed, grew into a large tree, and then finally became part of a student community that for the most part cherishes it.

Matt Klein                                                                       approximately 250 words

Mgk6@geneseo.edu

(585)-905-6701

INTD 105-19

The Geneseo Arboretum—A Blend of Two Worlds

By Matt Klein

As many high school students journey to Geneseo in their search for a college, Geneseo students and staff are quick to point out the natural beauty of the campus. It can be seen everywhere, from the Greek Tree and Seuss Spruce to the ivy-covered buildings. Perhaps the best example of this combination of nature and civilization is the Arboretum located to the south of campus. Though at a distance it simply seems to be a small forest, up close the care and attention given by Geneseo community pops into view. At the center of the Arboretum lies a gazebo, the most obvious integration between human presence and the surrounding environment. The gazebo is a simple wooden structure surrounded by flowers, yet the obvious care that has gone into its maintenance demonstrates the great love the community has for the trees.

Most surprising to me was the attention paid to the environment around the gazebo. The trees and bushes have been meticulously marked and identified by small tags. These tags, though practically insignificant compared to the surrounding beauty, make the Arboretum much more than just a collection of paths carved through a grove of trees. Each tree has been scrutinized and cared for, all the while retaining its natural splendor for the pleasure of observers. This makes the Arboretum an excellent example of the beauty that can result from the coexistence of nature and human influence.

Robert Romano

Nature is a powerful force that so often is taken for granted. Unfortunately, the beauty of nature is disregarded by many. Nature is continuously polluted by modern technology and progressive industrialization. The more humans build, the more disregarded nature becomes. A select few amount of careful observers will see many monuments on the picturesque Geneseo campus like the gazebo.

The Geneseo gazebo is beautiful in an innumerable amount of ways. It is a perfect representation of how nature and artificially crafted objects can co-exist together. The gazebo serves as a fantastic space in which students and faculty alike can feel more at home on the Geneseo campus. Even though it is a man-made structure, the gazebo actually gives the campus a more natural feel. The gazebo has many purposes which include magnifying sunsets and making each beautiful sunset look as if one has never seen a sunset before. Also, it shows the true beauty of the cosmos that we are able to observe. The topography of the Geneseo campus is completed by the Gazebo as it perfectly intertwines with the hills of Geneseo. I am a Long Island native and it is unusual for me to see such open land. It’s magnificent to see nature in such a calm state and to have the gazebo not look artificial, but indeed hand crafted by nature.

We must all learn to embrace nature and appreciate the true beauty of it as it is in all of our roots.

Simon Lee                                                                     Approximately  250 Words

Shl5@geneseo.edu

Scientific Writing 105-19

The Greek Tree

By Simon Lee

As an incoming freshman exploring the new campus of SUNY Geneseo, I noticed the wildly painted blue tree in front of Sturges Quad. I later found out during orientation that this was called the Greek Tree because its given a makeover by several Greek organizations on campus. A closer look shows a colorful array of paint chipping on the bed of the tree, ants scurrying from one place to another and cobwebs protected from the harsh elements.

When I visited the tree again for the purposes of this assignment, what caught my eyes this time were not the words “Geneseo’s Got the Goods” or “Welcome New Students” but a hole in the tree. I thought this must the the home for many of the squirrels on campus. Do these squirrels notice that there home gets a new coat of paint every year? Do they care? These were just a few of the questions that went through my mind. This got me to think of how human can interact with nature without being destructive.

To a lot of people this tree represents an a harmless prank. To me this tree is proof that humans can live in harmony with nature. Instead of chopping down this tree that is a home and shelter for many different animals, students of Geneseo came together and made it a tradition to keep this tree painted colorfully. This represents the first step to preserving nature for years to come.

about 250 words

Sarah Lambert

sel15@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD 105-19

The War On Campus: A Battle Between Man And Nature

By Sarah Lambert

  Since humans appeared on this planet, the advancement of technology has had a significant impact on the nature and environment around us. We have developed the advancements to build sky scrapers and cruise ships as well as materials–acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, for example– to print objects in three dimensions. It has become common today to dismiss the idea that man and nature may coexist. I believe, however, that not only do we coexist, we have all become unified with nature.

    I noticed, as I walked around campus this afternoon, the significant difference between the firm, hardened cement I walked on and the green, grassy areas along side it.

    The cement that my worn out flip-flops slapped down upon remained unchanging under my feet. On the edge of the cement, the boundary where the natural and the artificial converge, the grass grows with persistence. Though it may be cut, it still tries to overcome the artificial barrier that has been poured and set in its path.

    If we look close enough, this boundary becomes a battleground. As the cement stands firm, the grass exerts energy daily, trying even harder to overcome its opponent. This cement was something that humans created. However, it’s derived from nature itself. The crushed rocks cemented into place have likely been here longer than we have, we just found them a new purpose. The closer you look, however, the more obvious it becomes that it isn’t truly a battle between man and nature. Rather, it is just further evidence of how we have become even closer to nature, using it for our own devices.

Alexis Baer                                                                                       about 250 words
10 MacVittie Circle
Geneseo, NY 14454
anb8@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD 105-19: Writing Science

Focusing In
by Alexis Baer

The door itself is metallic gray with a rectangular appearance that includes worn out hinges and cables. From a distance, only parts of the image of the outside world is visible with faded fingerprints, stickers, and scratches that are attached to the windows. Moving closer with each step allowed the image to continuously grow until the entire view was both completely visible and clear. To the left is a fire alarm attached to the wall and to the right hangs a few posters/flyers containing Geneseo catering and crew information. Behind these doors lies a very small portion of campus; the gazebo, students, stairs, buildings, and various other objects. As I stand on the opposite side looking outward, I begin to form an opinion on the simplistic meaning of doors in general. Individuals might walk through a doorway several times a day and think nothing about it except for the fact that it’s solely a passageway to exit one room and enter another. In my own opinion, windows resemble a boundary between wilderness and humans due to the fact that it blocks an individual from leaving, essentially no way outside. Also, doors can potentially be considered a boundary due to its ability to lock and restrain individuals to one area for a certain amount of time whether it be voluntary or involuntary. Opening a door and walking out may signify a different mindset, future opportunities, a fresh start, new adventure, or possibly even a sense of freedom. I believe that the simple things in life are completely overlooked but overall, they might just have the most meaning

Rachael Natoli       8/30/2016

Blog Post One

I pass the gazebo up the hill from the College Union a few times a day but it always catches my eye when its silhouette is outlined by the sunset. Many people think about the gazebo as a place to sit and study or eat a snack. They enjoy the shade and protection of the environment that the man made structure provides. It is seen as a place to hide out when it starts raining or when the sun is beating down on a hot day, but I think of it as a place that also allows people to look around and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The view of the fields down the hill from the gazebo can be enjoyed at anytime and when people visit Geneseo for the first time they are amazed at the sight. This sight becomes even more incredible when the sun is setting behind the distant hill.

Although some may think of it as just a gazebo to sit at, the architecture makes it a sight to see. The curved circular roof leading to a sharp point at the top adds a very interesting element to the beautiful scene of trees, fields, and an orange sky. Geneseo is a very interesting campus in that it seems to enhance the wilderness with the human habitation. The views from the top of the hill, sitting in the gazebo, have been very relaxing. I think that the campus incorporates nature rather than destroying it and the gazebo is an excellent example of this.

Erik Buckingham                                                                             about 250 words

400 Ridge Road

Oriskany, NY 13424

(315) 939-9091

ekb7@geneseo.edu

Student, INTD 105-19

The Seuss Spruce

    by Erik Buckingham

Many Geneseo students see the Suess Spruce tree as a landmark on campus. Located in the heart of campus on the quad, the Suess Spruce tree bends to the side like the hat from Dr. Suess novels. The tree is filled with brown cones that bend and stick out of the bark. While the tree is eccentric and beautiful, it is also taller than it looks from far away when seen up close.

While walking up to the tree we notice that it begins to appear to be slightly shorter than Sturgis Hall, which sits directly behind the tree when viewing it from the east. While looking up at the tree, a viewer might see a clear blue sky, an overcast or even lightning. Beside the tree is another tree with blue bark. This blue bark is covered with the names of various organizations, which are written in white.

What is most remarkable is how tall the tree looks when we view it from as up close as possible. The spruce needles at the highest point of the tree seem to touch the sky. The winding tip of the tree curves seamlessly into the open sky above, making the towering tree look as if it is out of a children’s book. After seeing the Suess Spruce from a closer point of view we realize that it is not only a beautiful landmark seen from the concrete walkways of the quad, but also a landmark that makes ourselves feel much more insignificant when viewed up close.

Justin D’Souza                                                                                            255 Words   Science Writing                                                                                                  Geneseo

Distinguishing the Boundary Between the Natural and the Artificial                                                          By Justin D’Souza

Often, signs offer crucial information to passersby: the location of something, facts, or simply the name of a particular place. Signs on campus are no different. The “Spencer J. Roemer Arboretum” sign, located in a quiet grove of bushes, provides information that gives readers a good indication of boundaries between the natural world and human habitation.

Walking across the pavement of lot J after I got out of the hot rectangular Onondaga Hall, I noticed the sign peek into view behind some neighboring green bushes, with a visible tree detailed onto it, and some words I couldn’t yet read. Close up, the letters designate that this area forms an arboretum, a small grove of trees perhaps being studied by scientists. Therefore, an interesting juxtaposition emerges – to the left, trees and tranquility, yet to the right, hard asphalt and loud rap music. In class, we study from man made textbooks and computers and chalkboards. Yet, the sign and arboretum, despite both obviously created or designated by humans, invites one into a world where both humans and nature can coexist…but only for so far, after all, roads eventually constrict the trees into this one nook on campus!

I wonder if this sign could be a metaphor for science. It is not a random black and white street sign or some flashing neon creation, but a green and brown “gate” that invites people to explore the wild. I believe that this is what science should be, a field driven a curiosity to discover more about the world we live in!

During my trek around campus, I couldn’t help but notice the famous tree in front of sturges hall. I figured it would be perfect for this specific prompt. The Dr. Seuss looking tree is intriguing to everyone who walks by it. The way it hangs over at the top reminds me of a giraffe bending its long neck down for whatever reason. The tree’s origin, as many of us know, is when an ice storm had struck Geneseo. What I can imagine for it’s formation is the mixture between the intense wind and ice that caused the tree slouch in such a way and remain in its state permanently.  It must have been incredible for any staff or student to return to the site of the once lingering pine tree in the center of campus, to see it become a unique landmark in Geneseo and beyond. This speaks for how Geneseo is special. You won’t come across such a remarkable tree like this possibly ever. Similar to the college, you won’t come across a school like Geneseo ever again. It’s convenience in the center of campus reminds us how special we are everyday when we walk by it. We are preserving this tree specifically because of what it symbolizes for all of Geneseo. Others believe it is just a tree. It functions like a tree, smells like a tree, looks like a tree. It’s just another obstacle for a new building to be constructed on top of eventually. However, I would argue it’s presence is something greater.

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