Andy Duffie '78 - the original Aggie Century Tree Project
Andy Duffie's Aggie Century Tree Project
In September 2008, Andy Duffie '78 spent some time on the Texas A&M campus. During his visit, he found himself at the Academic Plaza where he encountered the Century Tree, an iconic live oak that has adorned the campus for generations of Aggies since the early 1900s. At that time, the tree was bearing its yearly harvest of autumn acorns. On a sudden impulse, Duffie plucked a few acorns from the tree to take home with him for an experiment, to see if he could get them to sprout.
Unfortunately, the acorns proved uncooperative, but Duffie remained undaunted. After another harvest of 50 acorns and another year of trial and error, he began to see signs of progress.
In October 2010, Duffie returned to campus for the third time with an ice chest and a specific goal in mind. He harvested 3,000 acorns to grow young Century Tree seedlings and sell them to Aggies nationwide. His aim was to use the proceeds to fund a prestigious $100,000 President's Endowed Scholarship at the Texas A&M Foundation.
Andy passed away in 2020, and we salute him by saying, "HERE!"
After Andy passed away, Sutton Turner approached Andy's brother and family to express his desire to take over the Aggie Century Tree Project and carry on Andy's legacy. Although his request was denied, Sutton has been making efforts to continue Andy's work. In 2021, Sutton established the Aggie Century Tree, LLC and began attempting to grow Century Trees. Similar to Andy Duffe, Sutton failed to grow a single tree in 2021 and 2022. However, in 2023, he managed to produce 10 trees.
The first scholarship funded by the Aggie Century Tree, LLC will be in the name of Andy Duffie '78.
Pass it Back, Ags!
Andy Duffie '78 & Sutton Turner '93
Sutton's Century Tree from Andy in 2018
Sutton's Century Tree from Andy in 2018
Sutton's Century Tree from Andy in 2018
In 2018, Sutton Turner '93, purchased a Century Tree from Andy Duffie '78. Andy and Sutton lived just 2 blocks apart in College Station. Sutton would often stop by to ask Andy questions about Century Trees and how his trees were doing.
Sutton's Century Tree in 2024
Sutton's Century Tree from Andy in 2018
Sutton's Century Tree from Andy in 2018
In 2022, Sutton moved to a new location in College Station and transplanted the tree he had purchased from Andy in 2018. Sutton's wife thought he was crazy to dig up the whole root ball. Today, the tree is thriving and serves as a reminder of Andy's legacy of raising Century Trees for Aggie scholarships.