51ĀŅĀ×

OU trees reveal historical roots, green fu...

October 29, 2025

For nine years, 51ĀŅĀ× has been recognized as a ā€œTree Campus USA,ā€ a national recognition program by the Arbor Day Foundation that to support colleges and universities in planting and celebrating trees.

This award may come as no surprise, for the cherry blossom trees along the Hocking River always bring crowds excited to take pictures of the spring blossoms.

However, the main draw for Bobcats and locals is the trees on College Green. In the winter, the barren trees lay in a stark landscape against grey, snowy skies. In the fall, they glimmer with oranges and yellows, leaving crushed brown leaves underfoot. 

Athens, OU fuel green energy, strive for c...

October 29, 2025

The city of Athens is leading a project to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. In February 2020, the Athens City Council passed a resolution that declared a climate emergency and expressed the cityā€™s intention of limiting carbon emissions and becoming more energy conscious.

Since passing the initiative, Athens has made many steps to increase solar energy usage. The city established a 2.1 megawatt solar array next to the Athens Community Center, powering 100% of the swimming pool, 50% of ā€‹ā€‹the wastewater treatment plant and a large portion of the community center itself.

Athens City Mayor Steve Patterson said the city uses solar power at the Athens Armory, and both solar and geothermal energy at the Athens Fire Department Station on East Stimson Avenue. The city was able to implement geothermal energy at the fire station by utilizing the heat from the Earth, due to its location on the Hocking River.

A botanical breakthrough: OHIO undergradua...

September 18, 2025

When Collin Thacker began studying wildlife biology, he never expected to fall in love with a tiny, often overlooked flower. Now, in his senior year, Thacker has helped identify what may be four entirely new species of violets in the mountains of Virginia, two of them in the heart of Shenandoah National Park.

The discovery is the result of months of meticulous fieldwork, research and mentorship under OHIO professor Harvey Ballard, Ph.D., whose enthusiasm for violets sparked Thackerā€™s unexpected botanical journey.

ā€œDr. Ballard and his infinite passion for violets is just incredibly contagious,ā€ Thacker said. ā€œWhen I began my time with Dr. Ballard, I couldnā€™t pick out a violet in a field full of them. But he was so knowledgeable and helpful that I found it pretty easy to catch on.ā€

Thackerā€™s work has focused on the collection, observation and cultivation of violet species in the wild. As part of his research, he has spent countless hours identifying subtle morphological differences, or traits, that might otherwise go unnoticed.