By Ayana Bessard, Staff Writer

Published Sep. 24, 2014

Sitting on over 200 acres of land, UNCG is known for its tailored green lawns and beautiful architecture.

Students from all over the country are drawn to our university’s amazing campus.

So when asked the age-old question “why did you come to UNCG” is asked, many people say that the attractiveness of the campus played a role in attending.

One student, Samantha Davis, said that when she was choosing which college to attend it came down to East Carolina University or UNCG.

She said, “I really did like ECU just as much as UNCG, but the campus here is so pretty I couldn’t resist. It’s where I have to live for four years, so why wouldn’t I want something that appeals more to the eye?”

If you’re one who is impressed by nature and architecture, you may definitely agree with that idea.

As many of you are aware, countless people comment on how green the grass is at UNCG, probably due to the huge lawn spread out before the Elliot University Center (EUC).

The EUC lawn is a common favorite feature of campus. When it’s warm out, students are always on the lawn with frisbees and soccer balls, doing all sorts of outdoor activities.

Always healthy and maintained, the lawn is an immediate eye-catcher and definitely gives the campus that “college” feel.

Old and new buildings around the campus are quite remarkable, too.

My favorite is definitely the Alumni House. Starting from the outside, its columns and stone forefront give you a historic, federal-style home feel.

The inside is amazingly crafted, and many students wouldn’t even suspect that there are two floors.

After walking in, the foyer will instantly wow you and continues to give you that federal-style feel with wood finishes, beautiful wallpapers and light fixtures.

The back of the Alumni House, also behind the EUC, serves as a patio.

A favorite study place for Jenny Adams, she comments on how it caught her eye.

She explained, “I always thought our campus was really nice, and when I saw the area behind the EUC, I loved it. I’ve been studying there on my breaks between classes since I was a freshman.”

There is an infinite amount of beautiful areas on campus where it is ideal to hang out or study.

Not only is the architecture on campus something to admire, but also the landscaping incorporated on campus is also really beautiful.

There are plenty of trees accompanied by collections of vibrant, colorful flowers. Although I’m not really in nature, I can definitely appreciate all of the still life we have on campus.

Sean Lanier, a local artist, also admires the landscaping at UNCG.

He said, “College Ave looks really nice during the fall. The leaves are changing colors, and the trees look really cool when you stare down from one end.

The trees and everything really give campus an outdoorsy feel.”

Yet, despite all of the beauty on campus, there is definitely room for improvement in what I call the “dark side” of campus; that is the super-far back end of campus where the high rises, Phillips/Hawkins, and Moore/Strong are.

That area of campus isn’t inviting at all. In fact, I barely ever go on that side of campus, and I have never had a reason after freshman year was over and I didn’t live in that area of campus anymore.

Thankfully, the university is beginning some renovations in those buildings in order to bring some light to the dark side.

The rest of UNCG’s campus, however, is so impressive and beautiful that it easily makes it possible for you to overlook that flaw.