Autumn At Arkansas Photo Contest Winner Announced

Photo Submitted

This image of the brick walkway near Old Main by student Kathryn O'Guinn is the winner of the Autumn At Arkansas photo contest.

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas campus is a picturesque place, but when the leaves begin to turn shades of gold and orange it is magnificent. Students have been capturing photos of the changing scenery since Oct. 14 for the Autumn At Arkansas photo contest, and the winner is Kathryn O'Guinn.

Photos from the contest will be shown on UATV during their 9 p.m. newscast. The show is available online through the UATV live stream.

Nia Smith, graduate assistant for social media in Student Affairs, was inspired to create this photo contest to showcase the beauty of the campus during the change in seasons.

"It's naturally beautiful here year round, but it's breathtaking at the beginning of the fall season," Smith said. "I thought this contest would be a great way for students to admire and appreciate the sights of the YOU of A."

The contest was a huge success. "We had more than 100 photos submitted by students," Smith said. "So it was not easy for our judges to make the decision."

O'Guinn's photo features the brick sidewalk near Old Main on a rainy fall day. Judges loved the composition and the quiet, beautiful moment captured. O'Guinn submitted her photo through Instagram, and said it was not a planned photo.

"Initially, I hadn't really planned on participating in the contest," said O'Giunn, a freshman from Texarkana majoring in psychology. "I was walking to one of my classes in Old Main and I was late. I decided to pause a second from rushing and take a picture of the beautiful scenery that was in front of me. Then I decided to submit it to the contest."

Students were challenged to capture what they felt to be the most attractive fall sites on campus, via smartphone or camera. Photos were posted to twitter and/or Instagram using the contest hashtag #AutumnAtArkansas. Students were allowed to send in up to three images. Photos were judged by official photographers and designers working for the University of Arkansas.

The grand prize winner received a $50 gift card to the University of Arkansas Bookstore, good at any retail location operated by the bookstore including the Parking Spot in Harmon Parking Garage, where there is a photo processing kiosk.