Weekend dedication celebrates the tree that became a lasting symbol of the College
Centuries after it first took root along the shores of Lower St. Regis Lake, the Leaning Pine continues to stand as a symbol of resilience, connection, and the enduring spirit of Paul Smith’s College.
During Reunion 2026, the College dedicated a permanent landmark honoring the iconic tree and celebrated the release of The Story of the Leaning Pine, a new book documenting the remarkable life of one of the region’s most recognizable landmarks and its deep connection to the College community.
Located at the site where the Leaning Pine once stood, the new landmark features a stone marker and plaque that preserves the story of a tree that became woven into the identity of generations of Paul Smith’s College students, alumni, faculty, and staff. For decades, the Leaning Pine’s distinctive shape along the shoreline served as a familiar landmark and a reminder of the unique bond between the College and the Adirondack landscape that surrounds it.
“The Leaning Pine was never just a tree,” said Paul Smith’s College President Dan Kelting, during the ceremony. “It was a gathering place, a landmark, and a symbol of what makes Paul Smith’s College special. It represented then—and still represents now—our connection to this place and to one another.”
Released as a part of the ceremony, The Story of the Leaning Pine traces the tree’s nearly 300-year life, from the event that created its characteristic lean to its role as a defining image of Paul Smith’s College. The book also explores the tree’s relationship to campus history, the science behind its growth, and its appearance in iconography and College traditions.
The dedication took place as part of Reunion 2026, where 340 alumni returned to campus to reconnect with classmates, celebrate College traditions, and experience the continued growth of their alma mater. As alumni gathered beside Lower St. Regis Lake, the Leaning Pine dedication offered a shared place to reflect on the past while looking toward the future. Although the tree itself is gone, its story continues to grow through the generations of Paul Smith’s College graduates who carry its legacy forward.
