The magnolia tree that stands alone on the east side ofPatterson Hall was donated to The University of Memphis by anaspiring writer in honor of a respected American novelist.
The tree was donated to The U of M on Jan. 4, 2002, by FedExsenior communications specialist and amateur novelist BrandonDavis. Davis gave the tree to The University in honor of the latenovelist William Faulkner.
Davis said the magnolia tree that sits in front of Faulkner'shouse should call attention to the startling fact that Oxford couldhave produced such a towering literary genius.
Davis has lived in Memphis since 1963 and throughout the 1980s,he made several trips to Faulkner's home in Oxford, Miss., where heretrieved magnolia seeds and planted them at his own residence.Once the tree he kept in his apartment reached 6 ft., the Alabamanative realized he would have to find a permanent home for it.
"What better place than the campus of The University ofMemphis?" Davis said.
After 25 years of working for FedEx, Davis will retire on Nov.30 and devote his time to becoming a published novelist. Davisbegan his first novel when he was approaching the age of 60, andliving in Brussels where he was in charge of FedEx public relationsfor Europe. He has completed two novels and is in the process ofwriting his third.
"I still aspire to be an overnight success at an age at which itis risky to buy green bananas," Davis said.
The horticultural department was enthusiastic about thedonation, as were several others in the english department.
"My class is studying Faulkner and we had our class [near thetree] today," said English department assistant professor JohnRonan, "we're delighted with Mr. Davis' donation."
"We certainly teach Faulkner at The University, so it'swonderful to think that his spirit hovers over Patterson," Chairmanand professor of the English department Steve Tabachnick said.
