A month after its groundbreaking, the first phase of Tarlac State University's Alumni Park at the Lucinda Campus was officially opened to the TSU community on October 22, 2022, during the Alumni Day of the university's week-long founding and charter anniversary celebration.
Hon. Reynaldo Catacutan, TSU Alumni Association Inc. (TSUAAI) president and alumni representative to the TSU Board of Regents, led the ribbon cutting along with Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Agnes M. Macaraeg. The blessing of the grounds followed through Rev. Fr. Ulysiss Castro.
The Alumni Park, located at the "mini forest" at the back of the College of Criminal Justice Education building (formerly Laboratory School), is intended as a recreational space for students, personnel, visiting alumni, and other guests.
Its first phase features initial landscaping, some benches, and the park entrance sign with a marker detailing the history of the Laboratory School Mini Forest.
"The late Prof. Armando Alamo, principal of TSU-Institute of Rural Life and Technology (previous name of the Laboratory School), required all students from the first to fourth year to plant 12 trees every year of their enrollment," the marker read.
"The succeeding administration of the newly renamed Laboratory School, headed by Prof. Crisanto B. Mendoza (TSU Laboratory School Director), continued the practice of tree planting even after the decree was enacted," the marker further read.
The marker also states that the alumni park construction is a means to "nurture" the mini forest, which is a fitting tribute to the university's alumni.
The TSU Alumni Park is a concept of the TSU Alumni Affairs Office led by Director Dr. Winston F. Abalos as early as 2019. This is in collaboration with the university for the landscaping design and the TSUAAI for the financing.
According to the AAO, the second phase is targeted to be completed by November 2022.
