By Abigail Ofous
Trinity Times Correspondent

When Trinity Washington University graduates and their families assemble for the 2026 commencements May 15 and 16, they will be greeted by a campus that seems to be exhaling spring grandeur.

Trees swaying, the glow of dark green lawns and students drifting toward colorful open spaces.

The beauty of Trinity’s campus in spring is an essential backdrop for commencement each year, accentuating the hopefulness brimming from graduates as they celebrate their academic success and look forward to their futures.

It also sets the stage for university students as they continue their studies.

For many, nature is more than scenery; it’s a place of calm, connection and a sense of belonging.

Moriah Turner, a sophomore communications major, said the greenery was one of the first things she noticed when she arrived on campus during her freshman year.

“In the beginning of summer and the end of winter into summer, I see that there’s a lot of greenery,” Turner told Trinity Times. “We have a lot of pretty pink trees. I find it very comforting and nice.”

Her favorite path on campus is by the Trinity Center across from the tennis courts, surrounded by towering trees.

“I just find it so whimsical with the trees overhead,” Turner said.

For her, the greenery doesn’t just decorate the campus; it livens up the environment. When the trees are full and the grass is bright, she sees more students outside, sitting on the field, walking between classes or simply enjoying the shade.

“It makes the campus feel very lively,” she said.

Gina Pryor, a senior health services major who commutes to campus, experiences Trinity’s greenery differently.

Pryor notices the campus most when the seasons shift.

“Watching the trees bud and the grass become green and healthy speaks a lot to my soul,” she said.

The blossoming trees by the library and the thick, green lawns on the main side of campus are the parts she pays attention to as she walks to the Payden Academic Center.

Even though Pryor’s time on campus is more limited than that of resident students and she isn’t always there to see students occupying outdoor spaces, she believes greenery reflects something important about a community.

“When you have a lot of greenery, beautiful trees, and flowers, it says a lot about the culture’s values, social interactions, history, and spiritual beliefs,” she said.

Trinity’s outdoor spaces are where community and calm meet, said Tina Nelson, a health services major.

Nelson remembers sitting outside with friends, surrounded by trees and historic buildings, talking and enjoying the quiet energy of campus.

“It really captures the spirit of the campus,” she said.

To her, Trinity’s greenery feels like a “calm reassurance,” a grounding presence through the hassle of classes and responsibilities.

“The outdoor spaces create places to gather, reflect, and build community,” Nelson said. “It makes Trinity feel more than just a school, it feels like a place where I can be comfortable and connected.”

All three students describe the campus environment as calming, lively and welcoming. They said the trees and lawns offer a break from the packed-in energy of Washington, D.C., giving the campus a sense of openness.

But these Trinity students also see room for growth.

Pryor imagines more trees to sit under and lie beneath. Nelson hopes for more shaded seating, more plants or garden-style spaces, and more outdoor study areas. Both believe that expanding the greenery would strengthen the community and make the campus even more inviting.

And while not all students believe they have equal access to green space, especially commuters or those unfamiliar with the area, the desire for more usable, welcoming outdoor areas is shared.

Still, the feeling students describe when they talk about Trinity’s greenery is evident. Whether it’s the pink blossoms in spring or the quiet moments spent under the trees, the natural beauty of the campus shapes how students experience their time at the university.

As Trinity continues to grow and evolve, its green spaces remain a reminder of what students believe is most important: being intertwined and coming together as a whole in a place that feels like a breath of fresh air.