Header


The Tree of Life is a project that was started by SUACONA (Silliman University Alumni Council of North America) to recognize donations toward Silliman University’s Twin Portal Building Project in general and the Portal West Building in particular. It consists of three parts – a South Tree, a North Tree and an Interactive Screen. Each tree has 350 leaves that recognize gifts of $1000 each and six rocks that recognize gifts of $5000 each. On each leaf or rock is a metal plate on which is written an inscription to usually memorialize or honor people who are special to the donating party. Further, a plate with corresponding inscription is also placed on either Tree’s trunk to recognize a gift of $100,000 each.

 


As was originally intended, the Interactive Screen located at the center of the building’s lobby provides a close-up view of leaves, rocks and trunks, their corresponding inscriptions and locations. Its role has since been expanded to provide donors with an opportunity to publish information on any subject of their choice by creating a page that is linked to their donor name. While the right to such informational page is free of charge to rock and trunk donors, leaf donors pay $50 each or its equivalent in other currencies for such a right. The Interactive Screen also lists other donors who gave less than that of a leaf while at the same time offering options for upgrading. One of the functions of SUACONA, through its Tree of Life Committee, was to keep an accurate record of donor amounts, which would be useful in determining how much a donor needs to give in order to upgrade to a leaf and enjoy its corresponding privileges.  SUACONA has turned over pursuit and control  of the campaign to Silliman University.

 


The two Trees of Life and Interactive Screen was formally inaugurated through special ceremonies on August 26, 2008. At that time, a total of 194 leaves out of a maximum of 700 for both Trees, all 12 rocks and one of the two trunks had been assigned. While the original target of SUACONA’s campaign was the more than 4,000 Silliman alumni and friends who have migrated to the United States and Canada, the target has been expanded  so that everyone is welcome to invest in the Tree of Life regardless of where they are located. For residents of the United States and its territories, gifts are tax deductible by writing checks or authorizing a credit card charge to the United Board. Full instructions for donating including downloadable donor forms can be obtained at the organization’s website. Log on to www.suacona.com and click the TwinPortal Bldg tab. For those visiting the campus, donor forms will be available at the Office of Institutional Development headed by Mr. Jose Mari Antonio.


footer