Life tends to move fast on college campuses. There’s hustling, there’s bustling, all coupled with a natural rotation of people coming and going.
But on Monday, time seemingly paused at Case Western Reserve University as hundreds of people spread across a grassy field to watch the total solar eclipse together.
“It’s moments like these that remind us of the complexity of our universe,” Case Western Reserve University Provost Joy Ward told a luncheon crowd ahead of the eclipse. “They inspire us to keep asking questions, seeking answers, and pushing the boundaries of what we all know.”
Free events across Case Western Reserve
Classes were canceled. Case Western Reserve’s calendar, though, was packed. So, too, was nearby Wade Oval, the sight for celebrations sponsored by University Circle, Inc.
At Case, Ward moderated a faculty panel discussion about the eclipse in the university’s student center. Officials said the free event hit its max capacity of registrations within an hour. University President Eric Kaler joked it made the university share a commonality with trying to get tickets for a Taylor Swift concert.
There were free offerings outside, too. The day seemed straight out of central casting: high temperatures in the 60s, pop music blaring through big black speakers, students spread out along an open, grassy field on the University Circle campus.
Sydney Winner, 20, helped plan Monday’s watch party. She roped “so many” friends into volunteering with her, she said. Many were clad in the same white t-shirt Winner sported. The front was stamped with 3:15:37 p.m. (the time of totality at Case) and “volunteer” splashed in capital letters across the back.
The party took months to plan. Years from now, Winner said, she hopes the day will have made her a better leader. She hasn’t had time to think about much else — including, she said, the marquee event.
“Honestly, I have been so busy planning that I haven’t thought a ton about the eclipse itself,” the physics and computer science major said.
From University Circle to downtown
Christian Swol, who works at Case Western Reserve, was sitting in a folding chair on the field. His wife, Natalie, laid on the ground on a blanket looking up at the sky. Their kids were playing soccer nearby.
“We brought our kids up here on the campus so they can experience it and see all these great, wonderful students hanging out,” said Christian.
It was a big day for the family. They were headed downtown to the Cleveland Guardians first home game after the eclipse ended.
The family travels a lot, Christian said. He likes to revisit trips with his children: Hey, remember that trip? Remember that one? Asking about them keeps those memories alive. He said he hopes the eclipse someday falls into that category, too.
“It’s very important to do family stuff together,” he said. “That’s our family motto.”
Snapping Cleveland’s sky
Amarachi Chukwumaeze had family on her mind, too. The 18-year-old from Nigeria was snapping photos through a pair of paper eclipse glasses. She wanted to send them to her parents. They’re also excited, she said.
“One of these isn’t going to happen again for a very long time,” she said.
She’s right. The next solar eclipse won’t be seen again in Ohio until 2444.
In the meantime, though, life returned to normal after a once-in-a-lifetime event. Chukwumaeze and her friends said they’d be studying the rest of the day.
What type of coverage is missing when it comes to higher education in Cleveland? Our reporter Amy Morona wants to know what you think! Send her a note by filling out this form.