Once upon a time in a campus far, far away… in New Orleans, there lived a bustling community of squirrels. These furry creatures are known for their playful antics and boundless energy. However, despite their vibrant personalities, squirrels often go unnoticed and underappreciated for their tireless efforts to maintain harmony in the bayou.
At some point in your time at Loyola, you’ve been walking to class when something jumps out in front of you, dives into a trash can, or scampers up a tree. Is it a bird? Is it a leaf? No, it’s a friendly neighborhood squirrel.
Back in the 1850s, squirrels were a rare sight. Tree squirrels had been nearly eliminated from many U.S. cities by the mid-19th century, but cities responded by adding more parks, trees, and of course, squirrels.
Our campus is home to a robust squirrel population, yet many of us fail to acknowledge the character they add to our community with their unique presence.
Everyone should stop and smell the squirrels. Maybe even give them a nut or a bite of your Starbucks breakfast sandwich – this way you’ll have a moment to stand still and notice the world moving around you. You’ll notice the wind gently brushing your face, the chlorophyll-drained leaves falling from trees, the jet black feathers of the cawing crows, and of course, the scampering squirrels that also call Loyola home.
In our time at Loyola, classes will change, professors will leave (unless they’re fortunate enough to have tenure), and that group of friends you swear will always have your back might fall apart, but squirrels – squirrels are forever.
