Beloved Name Sake

Located near the center of campus, the "Bent Tree" was named due to its unique bend in its trunk.  The tree became a popular spot for meeting up with friends, studying, or holding classes on a warm day shortly after Clayton Junior College opened in 1969.  Students serving as the newspaper's staff fondly adopted the name of the beloved campus icon for the publication. The tree served as a constant location mainstay for the campus community. Russell Camp, Clayton State's former Grounds Foreman, determined that the tree was over 90 years old. Sadly, the beloved bent tree was removed to make way for the University Center in 2002. A metal casting of the tree's unique bend was taken to create a statue commemorating this iconic tree and its importance to the campus community.