A Peace Tree Planting for Arbor Day

Five people stand around a freshly planted tree.

Representatives from Hackensack and FDU planted a tree for Arbor Day. (Photo: Bill Blanchard)

April 24, 2026 — FDU’s 250 Acts of Kindness campaign and the city of Hackensack partnered for a Peace Tree Dedication Ceremony to coincide with Arbor Day on April 24.

A freshly planted tree and two signs.

(Photo: Bill Blanchard)

Held near the Riverside entrance to Dickinson Hall on the Metropolitan Campus, the event included, from left, Caseen Gaines, mayor of Hackensack; Patricia Keefe Durso, vice provost for academic affairs; Josh Cohen, MBA’12 (Metro), Hackensack tree commissioner; Richard Burchell, FDU director of environmental health and safety and Rashard Mills, FDU director of student union and campus engagement (and co-chair of 250 Acts of Kindness initiative).

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Fairleigh Dickinson University launched 250 Acts of Kindness: A Legacy of Compassion, a University-wide initiative designed to foster service, benevolence, and a lasting culture of care.

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