University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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Intermingled with one’s remembrances of friends, athletic contests, scholastic work, and the many other events of college life, is that most endearing recollection of “The Campus.” It is often true that the college campus seems more beautiful and more dear to one after school days are past, when the mind turns backward a'nd beholds in mental imagery that one place of all.places—the campus of our Alma Mater. While living our busy college days we are apt to be carried away by the rush of activities and too often is it true that a student hurries in, around and out of the campus without stopping to appreciate its full beauty and significance. Arizona’s campus not only makes an unusual first impression but it continues to “grow” upon one, its beauties unfolding, its splendor increasing. Ours is truly a campus beautiful”—a “garden spot” in the desert country which surrounds it and with which it makes a striking contrast. Parks, lawns, shrubbery, evergreen trees, palms and flowers harmonize well with the mountain background. In midwinter these peaks are often covered with snow, causing us to appreciate even more the comforts of our sunny garden. Entering the campus through the Prescott gates, one is confronted by a network of roadways which lead in graceful curves to all parts of the grounds. Some of the drives are bordered with palms or palovcrdes; others with peppers, ash, olives, or pomegranates. The campus displays two striking types of parks. One is carefully plotted. Its walks are bordered by well-trimmed hedges. Its surface is covered with green grass, with here and there plots of flowers and plants. In the shade of its ornamental trees violets blossom even early in January. The other is our cactus garden, where the desert holds sway in its natural vigor. Here one finds the dry earth covered with all types of desert vegetation, such as the giant sahuaro, thecholla, the Spanish dagger, prickly pear, Yucca palms, greasewood, cat-claw bushes and century plants. The campus is not lacking in “lovers’ lanes.” Throughout its domain one finds foot-paths winding through gardens or passing beneath the protecting shade of drooping trees. In secluded spots are found comfortable benches which invite the passerby to accept their hospitality. Throughout the entire year one breathes deeply a most invigorating combination of the odor of flowers mixed with the warm and pure breath of the desert. An early, definite plan of arrangement of building locations and roadways has resulted in an added attractiveness. Our buildings themselves are of varied design and lend much to the beauty of the campus. Surrounding the buildings are pretty, green lawns and flower beds which blossom the entire year. Beautiful as is the campus today, it holds promise of an even greater charm for the campus of tomorrow.