Why are there cherry blossoms on our website?

Knox Hall—the home of the Department of Sociology—is adjacent to Sakura Park. Situated between Riverside Church to the south, the Manhattan School of Music to the east, Grant's Tomb and Riverside Park to the west, and International House to the north, the picturesque public park owes its name to the many cherry trees that blossom there in the Spring (sakura means “cherry tree” in Japanese).

Sakura Park is the setting for many official and unofficial department events, including the Orientation Picnic, sunny day class meetings, and impromptu lunches, conversations, and strolls with fellow department members.