Hocking College staff and faculty are working to honor and memorialize a Hocking graduate from the Natural Resources program.  Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Oakes, who was affectionately called "Oak," died while serving our country in Afghanistan.  The Hocking College Foundation has also become involved, and the project has expanded to include the creation of a College arboretum with an oak tree to be planted in Curtis' memory, as an "anchor tree" for a section of the arboretum to be called the Veterans' Memorial Garden.  Dedication of the tree planting in memory of Staff Sgt. Curtis A. Oakes will take place sometime in September with a specific date and time to be provided at a later time.

An account has been established in the Foundation titled, "Hocking College Veterans' Memorial Fund" into which initial contributions have been deposited.  We are soliciting support to cover the cost of a bronze plaque to place in the Natural Resources area and a bronze plaque to place with the tree.  

Checks can be made payable to Hocking College Foundation and sent to Ted Swallow in Financial Services.  Place "Veterans' Memorial" in the memo section of the check to designate the funds.  The Foundation will also be providing financial support for this effort.  

Contributions to this fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.