The week in photos: June 1–6, 2021

Two laptops are better than one for statistics and probability doctoral student Arthur Steve Tchoneteck as he studies in the MSU Main Library.

The library is open this summer at limited capacity and is committed to providing safe access to physical and virtual resources to the MSU community. Check out their current hours on the library website. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

Less than one percent of squirrels has naturally black fur, making this shot of campus wildlife a rare opportunity. We’ll be waiting for our call from National Geographic. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

While we always enjoy the beauty our 20,000+ trees bring to campus, it’s important to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of those who help make and keep it that way. Retired campus arborist Paul Swartz was recognized Friday with a commemorative tree planted in his honor. Swartz served as campus arborist for 29 years and, with this tree, the legacy of his work will grow for centuries to come. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

Paul Swartz shows his granddaughter, Lily May, the commemorative plaque on the tree planted in his honor. The tree, a Liriodendron tulipifera or “tulip tree,” is planted across from the MSU Union. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

There’s nothing so nice as sitting outside with a good book, unless you can do so near Beaumont Tower. Then, you’ve struck gold (or green) for best reading spots. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

It seems as if everything on campus has sprung to life, including the Resilient Oak. The tree, damaged years ago by a strong storm, has been studied by campus arborists, including curator of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum Frank Telewski. After counting rings from a cross section of the fallen trunk, Telewski estimated the tree to be more than 347 years old. Just like our MSU community, the Resilient Oak demonstrates Spartans Will. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

The Resilient Oak tree stands next to the 1900 fountain, a gift to the university from the Class of 1900. This fountain worked as a drinking fountain for both people and horses. Situated between Williams and Linton Hall, people on the sidewalk could walk up to one side of the fountain while horses on the road could get water from the watering trough side. Eventually, the driveway leading up to Linton Hall was removed and the fountain was turned off. The fountain remains in its original location, but the sidewalk is now located on the watering trough side, so the front is not easily visible.

Sometimes you’ve got to grow where you’re planted. This birch tree seedling has found itself tucked in the corner of a spruce tree near the Music Practice building. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

Two Spartans wander into Sleepy Hollow, a favorite spot to enjoy spring colors on West Circle Drive. Sleepy Hollow is as functional as it is beautiful and serves as part of the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden. The hollow supports a collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and ferns. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

The Spartan always looks cool and poised, despite hot temperatures this past week. The original Spartan statue enjoys a more temperate locale in the atrium of the Spartan Stadium tower. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.

Now that spring semester has passed and campus is a little quieter than usual, we’re eager for the energy and activity of football season this fall. Michigan State Athletics’ announcement of six home games to look forward to this season doesn’t hurt either. Photo by Derrick L. Turner.