Slippery Rock University - Saxigena Yearbook (Slippery Rock, PA)

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THE CAMPUS LANDSCAPE A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases,- it will never pass into nothingness.” —Keats How well the poet’s words lend themselves to the permanent, stabilizing atmosphere of Slippery Rock's campus. The stately catalpas, the spreading horse chestnut, graceful silver maples, the flowering almond, the magnolia, the Japanese cherry, all have been planted on the campus through the tireless efforts of Dr. R. A. Waldron, head of the college science department, with the help of other members of the institution. They have made this campus the most beautiful in the state. During the last decade a great variety of shrubs have been planted which have added notably to the attractiveness of the college. Their simple, informal arrangement portrays naturalistic lines to the floral growth. No other place in Pennsylvania, except on the Nature Trail, our natural botanical garden, does a pure strain of dog-wood grow. Not many years ago this forest was buried under with dense vines and high trees. Nature gives to Slippery Rock’s campus every season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, is but a success on of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress. Morning air in spring with a cleansing fragrance of pine, and the birds caroling in the tree tops gives one a different feeling of beauty, and to the same character passing in summer there comes still another mood, for now the stage is set with verdant lawns and trees. Another decorative touch is given by the colorful blooms, making an ideal flower-garden picture, lasting until late autumn. A special treat is reflected from the avenues of deciduous trees in early spring to late fall which permit them to fit into the immediate surroundings. Magnificent autumn sunsets send their rays directly from the west lighting up the spectrum of colorful leaves and lending a unique charm to the places. Perhaps the fascination of the last autumn months lies in the fact that Nature is about to reset the stage in her drama of the seasons. The chill air holds a threat of winter, and gradually, but peculiarly, not all the strength of beauty is lost in the depths of winter when the solemn stillness of the same sun’s rays glow over the campus with its glistening snow and white birch trees. It gives a different fascination, one of formality and repose. Truly only an artist, in whose soul rests the consciousness of nature’s lavish beauty, could paint properly the stately grace and beauty where stand old S. R. Halls. -M. G., '33