A Texas A&M graduate is turning acorns from the famous Century Tree into scholarship money.
Andy Duffie ’78 harvested 3,000 acorns from the Century Tree on A&M’s campus in October 2010, and within weeks, 500 had sprouted. Duffie plans on selling the seedlings in the fall of 2012 when the trees will be two years old and are expected to be about 6 feet tall.
He plans to sell them for $250 each and the proceeds will fund a $100,000 President’s Endowed Scholarship at A&M. This type of scholarship is a permanent legacy and is awarded to top students who excel in both academics and leadership potential.
Many know the Century Tree is famous for Aggie marriage proposals that occur under its branches. Duffie said he has already reserved 40 trees for Aggie couples that were engaged under the tree.
Duffie and his wife live in Vernon, TX where he has been growing and taking care of the trees. They have two daughters, class of ’08 and ’12.
To reserve a seedling and own a piece of A&M history, contact Duffie at centurytree@aggienetwork.com.
Click HERE for the project’s Facebook page and more information.
WTAW’s Chelsea Reber visits with Andy Duffie