A woman walks down Libe Slope past a flowering cherry tree

After a Long, Cold Winter, Spring Has—Finally!—Sprung on the Hill

Take a photographic tour of the Ithaca campus as warmer weather (mostly) takes hold—from blooming daffodils to al fresco guitars

By Beth Saulnier

Photography by Devin Flores, Noël Heaney, Sreang Hok & Jason Koski

As the truism goes, April is the cruelest month of all—the point being that the month alternately tempts us with sunny skies and smacks us down with bouts of cold, gloom, and late-season snow.

But let’s face it: on the Hill, that dubious honor really belongs to May—because Cornellians are far too savvy to be lulled into vernal complacency by a warm April breeze and some flowering trees, no matter how lovely.

Given that an Ithaca spring is often so late in coming—and May snows aren’t unheard of!—those balmy days and brilliant blooms are that much more precious.

Scroll down for a photographic tour of spring 2025 on the Hill!

New spring blooms in a mid-April snowstorm outside Sage Chapel.

Late-season snow flurries outside Sage Chapel.


Flowers bloom near Barnes Hall

Daffodils brighten Barnes Hall.


Spring flowers bloom by Martha Van Rensselaer Hall

Blue skies at the MVR courtyard.


Students play music on guitars on Libe Slope

Strumming on the Slope.


Spring flowers bloom in front of Uris Library

Spring buds and a scaffolding-clad McGraw Tower.


The first cherry blossoms begin to bloom outside of Olin Library.

An Olin Library close-up.


A student pauses to photograph the first cherry blossom blooms outside Sage Chapel and Olin Library.

Snapping a shot of spring.


A robin in a mid-spring snowstorm. Outside Olin Library.

A feathered friend amid frigid flakes.


Students reading on the grass outside Goldwin Smith Hall

Cracking the books on the Arts Quad.


A student wearing headphones walks past a flowering tree and a sculpture

Art and nature: The Song of the Vowels sculpture counterbalances a flowering tree.


White flowers on a tree outside the Johnson Museum

A flowery view of the Johnson Museum.


Pink hyacinths on the slope with a view of Barnes Hall

Hyacinths on the Slope, with Barnes Hall in the background.


A female student on a bench swing under a flowering tree

At work in the Wee Stinky Glen.


White flowers on a tree with McGraw Tower in the background

Flowers frame the tower of the Arts Quad’s McGraw Hall.


A floral sculpture and flowering trees outside the Cornell Botanic Gardens welcome center

The Botanic Gardens’ welcome center and 12-foot-tall Double Allium sculpture.


Pink blossoms outside Founders Hall

Delicate blossoms against Founders Hall.


A cyclist and pedestrians outside Olin Library

Passing Olin Library, on two feet and two wheels.


A Barton Hall tower viewed through a flowering tree

Blooms brighten Barton Hall.


Two students sit in a bus shelter under a flowering tree

Waiting for a bus on Feeney Way, across from Physical Sciences.


A student plays guitar sitting in the Arts Squad with another student

Making music on the Arts Quad.


Spring snow falls outside White Hall as a woman walks by

And … a “spring” scene that many alums will (fondly?) recall.

Top: A burst of color on the Slope.

Published April 24, 2025


Comments

  1. Robert Rosenberg, Class of 1962

    Best time of the year for me on the Cornell campus!!

  2. Keith, Class of 1984

    That is how I remember it. Thank you.

  3. Alan G, Class of 1990

    Always nice to go back in time for a bit… Thanks.

  4. Michelle Sens Novo, Class of 1979

    46 years since I graduated! These spring photos bring it all back like it was yesterday:). The magnolia in front of Uris Library just keeps on giving.

  5. Michaline Bruyninckx, Class of 1979

    I remember it snowing on Mother’s Day, 1978, I believe. The tulips were covered with snow! It didn’t last long, however.

  6. Gregory Ryan, Class of 1982

    Timeless photos! Except for a few small images of 21st century technology, these could be any time in the last 50+ years. Fond memories of Spring in Ithaca.

  7. Bob Herwick, Class of 1964

    I remember several years when we got a final snow storm the first week of May. Then the campus was transformed into a paradise, only to be time to “go home” for the summer. I had the opportunity to visit the campus only once during my 4 years in August. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

  8. Philip Schwartz, Class of 1970

    Stunning images; great memories. What’s with the scaffolding surrounding McGraw tower? (Perhaps a stunt to replace that mysterious Halloween pumpkin on the peak??)

    • Joe Wilensky

      Hi, Phil,
      A significant renovation of McGraw Tower is nearing completion – see this story for details!

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