Swarthmore Named Among Most
Beautiful College Campuses in Country

by Alisa Giardinelli
10/3/11

Mature tulip trees and white oaks provide the "ceiling" for the outdoor amphitheater, where the College holds commencement each year rain or shine.

Swarthmore is among the most beautiful college campuses in the country - but don't just take the College's word for it. Forbes editors asked "a group of university architects, campus experts, and students to tell us which schools are turning their heads - and why."

While noting Swarthmore's Scott Arboretum, historic architecture, "meticulously" tended grounds, and emphasis on social responsibility, Forbes gave special attention to the College's sustainability efforts:

"Swarthmore College continues to put its Quaker-inspired ethics into practice by undoing elements of history that aren't contributing to the betterment of humankind. A recent example? Three of its rooftops (that's over 14,300 square feet) have been converted to green roofs and a fourth, destined for the Lang Performing Arts Center, is on the drawing board."

In addition, the College's "idyllic gardens of hydrangea, lilacs, and tree peonies" and "courtyard devoted to fragrant trees and shrubs" were cited recently by Travel & Leisure for its list of America's Most Beautiful College Campuses. Editors there also recommended to visitors the Arboretum's classes on topics that range from growing maples to the benefits of green roofs.