Delta Sigma Theta held a ceremony on Aug. 23 in the quad to officially dedicate a campus tree that the sorority adopted last year.Tiffany Leake, nursing junior from Thibodaux and Delta Sigma Theta vice president, talked to Nicholls grounds personnel and asked if the sorority could adopt a tree, according to Rochelle Jones, accounting junior from Thibodaux and Delta Sigma Theta chaplain. The grounds personnel told Leake that the sorority would be responsible for taking care of the tree.

“We will make sure the tree gets upkeep,” Jones said.

In preparation for the dedication ceremony, Delta Sigma Theta decorated the adopted tree on Aug. 6. Bricks were painted in the Delta Sigma Theta colors and placed around the tree. The number 1913 was placed on the ground next to the tree. Jones said that 1913 is the year that Delta Sigma Theta was founded by 22 women, who based the sorority upon Christian principles.

The ceremony began with a prayer led by Jones, which was followed by a scripture reading from 1 Corinthians 13 by Dasha Maize, government junior from Thibodaux.

“It’s a scripture about love,” Jones said. “I thought it was fitting because we should strive to be more loving as a sorority and community.”

Jones said religion is an important part of her sorority.

“We are Christian women striving to be more like Christ.”

During the ceremony, Shana Singleton, freshman from Thibodaux, was presented the Jocelyn R. Smart Memorial Scholarship by Nikisha Bradstreet, management senior from Thibodaux and Delta Sigma Theta president. Leake gave closing remarks for the dedication ceremony.

Everyone on campus was invited to attend the ceremony. Judy Daniels, dean of student life, and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity were present for the dedication as well.