This Earth Day, April 22nd, Neumann University students gathered in the Student Multipurpose Hall for Rooted, a hands-on planting event that brought creativity, sustainability, and community together. Co-hosted by Campus Ministry and the Office of Student Engagement & Orientation, the event combined painting pots and planting seeds to honor Earth Day in a hands-on way. With a strong turnout, especially notable since student engagement at campus events can be a challenge, Rooted was a refreshing success. It connected students and reminded them that caring for the Earth can start with just one plant.
Spring has arrived, and the colorful plants decorating Neumann’s campus are proof of this season of growth, mirroring the spirit of the Rooted event.
A mix of soil bags and art supplies provided from Campus Ministry and Student Engagement shows how teamwork benefits everyone.
Informational cards outlined care tips for herbs like lemon balm, lavender, and chamomile, making the event not just fun, but educational.
Early arrivals begin to brainstorm and sketch their pot designs, easing into the relaxing vibe of the afternoon.
Balancing campus life, one student decorates her pot before heading off to choir practice, showing how even a quick stop can provide support and connection.
Whether arriving solo or in groups, students quickly filled the room, proving that hands-on events like this spark real campus engagement.
Campus Minister Rachel Dunlap helps a student plant seeds in a hand-painted, cow-print pot, a visual representation of collaboration.
A freshly painted pot stands proudly amid brushes and other working students, a colorful example of how each student made the project their own.
The board in Bachmann Hallway displayed posters highlighting the importance of care for creation, reinforcing the event’s message beyond the afternoon.
Rooted in Growth and Values
The Rooted Earth Day event, held on April 22, offered more than just a fun afternoon. It was a visual expression of Neumann University’s commitment to sustainability and its core values.
Hosted by Campus Ministry and Office of Student Engagement & Orientation (OSEO), the event invited students to paint pots and plant herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary as a creative way to mark Earth Day. Through these images, a story unfolds—of students slowing down, getting their hands dirty, and engaging with both nature and community.
Rachel Dunlap, Campus Minister, explained that Ashley Beasley, a student who works for OSEO, originally suggested painting pots. Dunlap had already hoped to host an Earth Day activity, so they combined their ideas and supplies. That teamwork brought Rooted to life.
This event was more than an afternoon of pot painting and planting; it was a living, visual metaphor for growth, care, and connection. Each photo captures a different stage in the symbolic planting process: arrival, preparation, creation, and planting (mirroring the stages described in the reflection pamphlet handed out at the event).
It also speaks to deeper student needs: finding time for joy, grounding practices, and genuine community in the middle of busy schedules.
Technology helped shape this story. Thanks to smartphone cameras and editing tools, it was easy to capture meaningful moments as they happened. Cameras preserved fleeting scenes of connection—students laughing, focusing on their designs, or receiving guidance from staff. Technology allows this story to be told again and again—whether in a student newspaper, on social media, or in campus marketing.
It’s important to acknowledge that student engagement on college campuses isn’t easy. The fact that a strong number of students showed up for Rooted and stayed to participate is a success in itself. That turnout is a testament to thoughtful planning, collaborative energy, and the relevance of the event. These photos show a small but powerful glimpse of what community and care for creation can offer.
