Autumn spectacular
Every year, OHIO's Athens campus puts on a show of dazzling fall colors, tempting Bobcats outside to enjoy the beauty. Sunny weather and seasonal programming helped make this autumn one for the ages.
Photos by Eli Burris, Rich-Joseph Facun, Claira Kimble, Anders Saling, Ben Siegel, and Charley Szydlyk | November 10, 2026
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When the leaves change colors and then tumble below,
And the temperatures drop before we get snow,
There’s no place more scenic
Than old OHIO.
Every fall at Ohio University is special, but this year was especially special (if our English professors will allow us to say that); the temperatures were perfect, the rains held off on most days, and campus was filled with students enjoying the season.
Nestled in the foothills of Appalachia, Ohio University and the city of Athens are surrounded by hillsides that show off their colors each fall, and this year the colors were breathtaking. The leaves seemed to hang on the trees a little longer, the temperatures stayed warmer for a few more days, and while the days grew shorter, they also seemed a bit brighter.
At the same time, it has been a very busy semester, as our students have been engrossed in their studies, our research programs have made significant progress in their work and students in all of our programs have continued preparing for their careers.
During these active times when you're studying for tests to come or working on projects that are ahead of you, though, it’s important for everyone to enjoy the moments that are with you right now. Fall is a perfect time do to that. And this fall, our Bobcats enjoyed relaxing outside, studying with friends on College Green, getting lost in good books and turning moments into fond memories.
Fall at Ohio University is also filled with fun activities, and Bobcats certainly are known for having fun.
During the Halloween season, for example, our students showed off their creativity through colorful costumes and decorations. The Ping Student Recreation Center also invited students to wear costumes while taking on the climbing wall, and our students rose to the top once again.
One innovative student even dressed as a climbing wall climbing the climbing wall, which is amazing.
Even dogs dressed up in costumes on campus this fall, while also studying for their classes in tail-wagging and barky-ology.
And while our students (and dogs) dressed up for Halloween and special events, the trees on campus and throughout the city dressed up in their finest colors, too, as Athens was as picturesque as a painting or a Hallmark movie. (Our apologies again to our English professors and film professors for the reference to Hallmark movies, but it really did look like something out of a Hallmark movie at times this fall.)
It won’t be long until our students are taking final exams and turning in final projects, and temperatures drop below freezing. So be sure to take advantage of the splendid days of autumn while you can.
We hope you enjoy special moments with friends, peaceful walks on the College Green and throughout campus, and days that may be hectic and stressful but are also wonderful in many ways.
Enjoy the moments most of all. Enjoy the moments with your friends or just with yourself.
After all, it won’t be long until fall turns into winter, and students turn into graduates who move across the state and the world, and life changes right along with the seasons.
No matter what you do in life or where you may be in the years ahead, though, you will always carry in your memory these autumn moments, because there’s truly no better place for fall than here at Ohio University.
