Colorful blooms on trees are shown on a sunny day with blue skies in the background

Bloom times

OHIO's scenic Athens campus was awash in spectacular colors as students enjoyed warm days outside and made memories that will last forever.

Photos by Rich-Joseph Facun, Anders Saling, Skylar Seavey and Ben Wirtz Siegel | April 23, 2026

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It was a busy spring semester at Ohio University as our students excelled in their classes, gained real-world experience and moved forward in their research and creative activity. And our faculty, who are leaders in their fields, worked every day to prepare tomorrow's trailblazers to succeed in their future careers.

All of our campuses hosted expert speakers and held special events, and our students may have planned a few social events on their own,  too.

But among all of the bustle and business of the semester, there were also times to relax and enjoy spring on the best campus in the U.S. 

Color everywhere

Two students relax together while on a blanket in the grass on a spring day.

People of all ages enjoyed the blooming of Ohio University's cherry blossom trees along the Hocking River, while buds and flowers seemed to burst forward overnight all across campus.

When we get busy with classes and work and the stress of daily life, it's easy to take for granted how beautiful it is here. But Bobcats know the importance of stopping to look around so we don't lose sight of the fact that we get to live, study and work in the midst of such splendor. Add in the friends and memories we make during our time here, and you start to see what "Forever OHIO" really means.

The blooms on a colorful tree are shown in front of Galbreath Chapel on the College Green
The bright green grass is filled with white flowers and yellow flowers
People and a dog sit and stand near the cherry blossom trees and the Hocking River, while other people walk in the background on the bike path

Time flies

It feels like we were only just celebrating Homecoming, and now Commencement is just a week away. 

The flowers, leaves and blue skies of springtime seemed to be reminding everyone of the importance of slowing down to enjoy the fleeting days of April. Whether you're talking with friends, playing games, studying by yourself or just relaxing and enjoying the sun,  taking a few minutes to do nothing can often make all the difference in your day. And it might be a memory you keep with you for all your days. 

The sky looks purple in this image of white blooms on trees
Two students walk on a brick path on the College Green while colorful trees are in the background
OHIO students play volleyball on a sand volleyball court on the South Green in this image taken from above from a drone camera
Two students sit outside of Templeton Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium and talk while looking at a laptop computer
Four students play a game together and throw a ball into the air in the grass on a spring day at Ohio University

As students and teachers prepare for finals week and the summer ahead, we hope you'll take these images as a sign to make your own beautiful memory today. Step away from the screen and reach out to a fellow Bobcat. Head to the bike path, the golf course or the volleyball court--or just tie a hammock to a tree and let the sights and sounds of OHIO's world-class campus make their mark on you.

Wishing everyone a happy and successful end to your semester, and to our graduating seniors: We'll see you back here very soon. The cherry blossoms bloom every year, after all. 

A student looks at a computer and papers while lying in the green grass under a colorful tree on a spring day at Ohio University

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