Presbyterian College has been awarded Level I accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum, recognizing the college’s commitment to tree stewardship, landscape management, and the preservation of its historic campus.
The accreditation places Presbyterian College among a global network of accredited arboreta and recognizes the college for meeting professional standards in planning, governance, public access, and tree conservation. Only the second college campus in South Carolina to achieve this accreditation, PC is also now listed in the Morton Register of Arboreta, an international database of arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.
Spanning 240 acres, Presbyterian College’s campus has long been defined by its trees and green spaces — a legacy that dates back more than a century. During the presidency of Dr. Davison Douglas from 1911 to 1926, the college commissioned nationally renowned landscape architect Charles W. Leavitt Jr. to design a master plan for campus development. That vision transformed what had once been cotton fields into the central green corridors that still shape campus today, including the iconic oak-lined Vance Plaza.
For more than a century, Presbyterian College has cultivated a campus that reflects both our academic mission and our commitment to stewardship. From the oaks that line Vance Plaza to the many green spaces that shape the student experience, our landscape is part of who we are. This accreditation recognizes the intentional care and vision that have defined this campus for generations.”
Dr. Anita Gustafson, PC President
In a 2001 address to the Newcomen Society, former PC president Dr. John Griffith described the result as “a remarkable sense of place — a South Carolina Grove of Academe” — a vision that continues to guide the college’s stewardship of its natural spaces.
College president Dr. Anita Gustafson said the accreditation reflects the college’s longstanding commitment to preserving the beauty and purpose of its campus.
“For more than a century, Presbyterian College has cultivated a campus that reflects both our academic mission and our commitment to stewardship,” Gustafson said. “From the oaks that line Vance Plaza to the many green spaces that shape the student experience, our landscape is part of who we are. This accreditation recognizes the intentional care and vision that have defined this campus for generations.”
That commitment took on renewed significance in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, when the college lost dozens of trees across campus. Since then, Presbyterian College has undertaken a systematic restoration effort, including annual Earth Day plantings led by the Blue Hose Eco Hub to help restore and strengthen the campus canopy.
Scott Respass, executive director of facilities, said the recognition affirms years of thoughtful planning and investment.
“Our campus landscape tells the story of Presbyterian College’s history, and preserving that story requires constant care and planning,” Respass said. “After Hurricane Helene, we lost dozens of trees, but that challenge only strengthened our commitment to restoration. This recognition from ArbNet affirms the work we’re doing to protect and grow the natural beauty of this 240-acre campus.”
Founded in 2011 by The Morton Arboretum, ArbNet is an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta dedicated to advancing the planting, study, and conservation of trees. Its accreditation program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta based on a set of professional standards.
