Fall in Love: Scenes of the Season

When the days start to shorten and the air turns crisp, a hush falls over College Park – but not for long. The campus bursts into color, and somewhere between the rustle of turning leaves and the distant chatter of students, a camera clicks.

It’s November, and the Maryland Today team decided to let the season speak for itself. Forget the lecture halls for a minute; instead, let’s stroll through the snapshots that Dylan Singleton, John T. Consoli, Stephanie S. Cordle, Lauren Epstein ’29 and a handful of others have gathered.

First stop: Hornbake Plaza. Fallen leaves litter the grass like a patchwork quilt, and you can see students hurrying across, scarves fluttering, phones in hand. One photo captures the moment perfectly – a group of friends laughing, the sky a soft blue, the campus‑wide “Great Pumpkin Waltz” soundtrack playing somewhere nearby.

Just a short walk away, Morrill Quad is ablaze with fiery orange and amber. Kidan Abebe ’29 is tucked into a bench, surrounded by the blaze, absorbed in a book. The light hits the pages just right, casting a warm glow that makes the whole scene feel like a quiet autumn reverie.

And then there’s the little drama at the Memorial Chapel’s Garden of Reflection – a chubby squirrel, seemingly oblivious to the chill, laps water from a fountain. The image feels almost whimsical, a reminder that campus life isn’t just about people.

Old stone meets new foliage at Reckord Armory, where the stately columns are framed by a canopy of gold‑tinged trees. John T. Consoli’s composition makes the architecture look like a cathedral of autumn, inviting passersby to pause.

Even on an unseasonably warm day, students reclaim the Memorial Chapel Fields for a spirited game of volleyball. The bright jerseys contrast sharply with the deep greens of the grass, and you can almost hear the thud of the ball against the sky‑blue backdrop.

Further along, Thurgood Marshall Hall stands beneath a brilliant sky, its brick façade softened by the surrounding leaves. The photo captures a fleeting moment of sunshine, a brief respite before night falls earlier each day.

Paint Branch Drive offers another perspective: colorful trees line the road, their reflections dancing in the windows of the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering. Stephanie S. Cordle’s shot shows technology and nature sharing the same frame, a subtle nod to the interdisciplinary spirit of UMD.

Morning commuters rush past the iconic “M” on the campus lawn, a sea of backpacks and coffee cups set against a crisp, golden morning. The image feels alive, full of kinetic energy, yet the background is a quiet tableau of orange maples.

On Washington Quad, students gather in small clusters, some studying, others just enjoying the season’s palette. The ambience is relaxed, a gentle hum of conversation overlaying the rustle of leaves.

Lauren Epstein ’29 captured the landscaping outside H.J. Patterson as it burst into seasonal colors – a living, breathing mural that changes day by day. The photo reminds us that even the most functional spaces can become works of art when nature takes over.

Near the Kirwan Fountain, the fall reds look almost like summer pinks, hanging delicately from the water’s edge. It’s a striking contrast, a reminder that color doesn’t always follow the calendar.

Finally, Meyer Mall is a kaleidoscope of hues, students threading their way through a tunnel of amber, crimson and gold. Dylan Singleton’s eye for composition turns an ordinary walkway into a runway of autumn fashion.

All together, these images tell a story louder than any announcement: fall at the University of Maryland is not just a season, it’s an experience. It’s the crunch of leaves underfoot, the sudden chill that sends you scrambling for a sweater, and the shared moments that make campus feel like home.