Happy Mother (Goose) Day!

Every May, the Downers Grove Campus welcomes the rituals of spring: lots of rain, flowers beginning to bloom, and flocks of Canada geese building--and protecting--their nests. We do love the geese here in the Midwest. They have become something of a campus mascot. They squawk at us, they leave vile green markings on our sidewalks, and they occasionally stop traffic when they cross the road. But, still, they are part of our campus family.

If you have visited our campus, you will know that we are located right next door to a beautiful forest preserve, Lyman Woods. Our campus is home to all kinds of wildlife (deer, fox, squirrels, lots of birds, and more), and we are surrounded by trees, native grasses, and blooms of all kinds. It's gorgeous. The geese love it too. When it is time to build their nest, they instinctively gravitate toward our buildings, to protect their eggs from predators that may lurk in the woods. The male geese have learned to protect their females, usually by squawking and honking, but occasionally by taking chase after a wayward student or faculty member who has gotten too close for comfort. We know to take precautions and nests are often marked so we can steer clear. But many of us also watch over the expectant mothers, hoping for the best for their eggs and hoping we are on campus when the hatching takes place.

Today, CCOM staff member Brenda Dohman was in the right place with her camera when the "west side of Alumni Hall" goose welcomed her five goslings to the world. Thanks for the photos Brenda, and thanks for sharing them with all of us Dr. Dombrowski! In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, here is our newest campus mom, Mother Goose and her babies.