Article by Joel Grimsley, Arts Editor
Aquinas’ Campus at Fall – Photo by Zach Miller
Grand Rapids, Mich. — As October passes, fall at Aquinas is in full swing, students have been celebrating both nature and creativity through multiple events at AQ.
Autumn is a beautiful time at Aquinas, and as the trees begin to shed their leaves and drape campus with warm colours, the students are celebrating the rich biodiversity on campus.
On Wednesday Oct. 9 students gathered together for the Appreciating Nature event. TRIO Student Support Services, the Writing Center and the AQ center of sustainability joined together for this event. The goal was to highlight the vibrant nature of campus but also encourage creativity and host a coin drive for art supplies. Appreciating Nature gathered over a dozen students who came together for snacks and the opportunity to create nature themed paintings.
Acrylic paint and all the supplies were provided for, enabling students to paint a series of trees and nature illustrations. The atmosphere was complemented by an appropriately nature themed movie that was playing in the background; ‘The Lorax’ seemed a suitable choice as a backdrop to paint to.
Sophia Lentine, who orchestrated the event not only wanted to encourage creativity on campus but “help host more events like this on campus for those commuting,” providing commuter students more to do on campus during the day.
She succeeded in supporting a creative environment for students to relax in and hopes to help organize similar events in the future.
Appreciating Nature was also hosting a coin drive at the event, as an opportunity to gather donations for students in much need of art supplies. Something that Sophia pointed out, is not cheap, with excessive costs often preventing students from taking art classes.
This event also reminded students about the 4th annual AQ ‘Tree of the Year’ competition. Where a tree on campus is selected as a way to celebrate what brings beauty and freshness to Aquinas’ campus.
Jessica Bowen, who is the Executive Director of the Center of Sustainability commented that it is “a good way to raise awareness for all the trees on campus” and a chance to acknowledge the nature that surrounds Aquinas students.
Student’s pride in their campus becomes particularly vocal during the fall, as many point out the nature and trees within the college grounds. With 95 different species of trees, Aquinas’ campus offers a diverse range in its woodlands.
Students gathering to Appreciate Nature – Photo by Joel Grimsley
The Saint 