UNCA students and faculty celebrate returning to campus with autumn tradition Turning of the Maples, despite bare trees.
“We have to be nimble anyway because we never know exactly when the maples are going to be in their peak season, so this was just a great opportunity for us to come back,” said Michael McNamee, director of alumni and friend engagement. “Even though there are just a few leaves left, it still is a good chance to appreciate the beauty of campus.”
Turning of the Maples, UNCA’s tradition to commemorate the changing colors of campus trees, involves a gathering of students and faculty to enjoy music, games and fall pastries on the quad.
“People were dying to get back. The Bluegrass Ensemble was really eager to do it, the catering department was really eager to do it. We had a lot of people that were ready to go back to it,” McNamee said.
UNCA’s Bluegrass Ensemble performed their first on-campus set of the semester in front of Ramsey Library for the event.
“We had a bunch of other gigs lined up but then the hurricane came,” said August Meyer, UNCA freshman and guitarist in the Bluegrass Ensemble. “We just showed up and played. It was a lot of fun.”
Various autumn treats were offered on the quad, including warm marshmallows at Campus Recreation’s annual s’more roast and fall themed desserts provided by Campus Dining.
“We have hot chocolate, we have hot cider, we have turning of the maple cookies,” said Catering Director Ben Witherspoon.
Attendees could participate in activities across the quad set up by a number of campus organizations including Slacklining, pumpkin painting and writing leaf-shaped notes of gratitude for a mural designed by Alumni Association and Donor Relations.
“We have some leaves that you can sign and put up who you’re thankful for in the campus community,” said Special Events Manager for Alumni Relations and University Advancement Kenya Lipplett. “We’re going to make a mural of these leaves in the library just to have something thankful during the season because of this time.”
