Posted on June 4: Class of ’54 gives gift of green

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/oasis.jpg” caption=”John Hansuld”]Five years ago, McMaster's class of '54 had a dream. They wanted to build an oasis on campus that would become a meeting place for all the McMaster community.

On Saturday, June 5, while celebrating its 50th anniversary, the class of '54 will celebrate that dream with the opening of the Class of '54 Oasis Garden, located between Hamilton Hall and Alumni Memorial Hall.

“At the 45th anniversary five years ago, Doug Coleman, (chemistry '54), suggested that the Class of '54 give “something green” to McMaster on their 50th anniversary,” says alumnus John Hansuld, (geology '54). “That caught the imagination of everyone there…we wanted something green, with rocks and exotic flowers and trees. Something you could go and sit and meditate at, or hold hands or propose to your sweetheart,” he says.

Fifty pink granite boulders have been installed in the garden to commemorate the 50 years since the class graduated. There also are three large stones engraved with the names of the faculties of arts and science and Divinity College. McMaster's Grounds will provide perpetual care of the garden.

More than 46 per cent of the class of '54 contributed to the project, says Hansuld, chair of the Class of '54 Oasis Garden committee, adding more than $100,000 has been donated to the project to date.

“What we have in an incredible and unique gift,” he says. “Most class gifts are bursaries or scholarships, so this is a bit novel.”

On Saturday, a plaque dedicating the garden to the class of '54 will be unveiled during Alumni Weekend's President's Garden Party.

Photo caption: McMaster alumnus John Hansuld, (geology '54), stands in the Class of '54 Oasis Garden. Photo credit: Sarah Buffett