Pond's Ponder
This is a gem from the best basketball coach of his time, John Wooden.
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
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National Day of the Bison | |
This Saturday, the U.S. celebrated the National Day of the Bison. | |
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Buffalo or Bison?
Did you know that WTAMU’s official mascot, the buffalo, is technically a bison? Though the terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different animals. True buffalo are native to Africa and Asia, whereas bison are indigenous to North America and Europe. The confusion dates back to early settlers who nicknamed the American bison “buffalo,” a name that stuck despite the distinction. Scientifically, the American bison is classified as Bison bison, while the name, buffalo, remains a cultural mainstay.
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History of the Mascot
In 1921, the student body debated which animal to choose as the mascot for West Texas State Normal College. Options included a badger, coyote, prairie dog, rattlesnake, chaparral, and buffalo. L. "Parson" Gough, a cowboy from the T-Anchor ranch, spoke in favor of the buffalo, telling the story of when he and another cowboy roped two buffalo calves on the site where Old Main was built in 1892. The students gave Gough's nomination a standing ovation.
The school purchased its first pair of buffalo in 1922, later named Charlie and Mary Ann, from the Goodnight family's T-Anchor Ranch. Charlie was the first to serve as the official mascot, running the sidelines at football games and participating in parades.
The original T-Anchor Ranch headquarters, a two-room log cabin, resides permanently on the grounds of WTAMU's Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. It is the oldest Anglo-built structure in the Panhandle.
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The Buffalo Legacy
Today, the legacy continues, with the buffalo still celebrated at university events and games. The WTAMU Herdsmen Team are responsible for the care and management of the school mascot.
The buffalo has been a steadfast pillar of strength, honor and majesty, and the words that appeared in a 1921 issue of the school's student newspaper, The Prairie, still hold true today—"Now, since the Buffalo is to be our mascot, what qualities are we to think of when we see him gracing all our insignia? First of all, he is strong and sturdy.
And his virtues are as prominent as his physical qualities. He always fights a clean fight, and he was never known to sneak away from his foe on the field of battle or to betray his friend. His broad shoulders tell you that he can endure physically, and his sincere eyes bespeak the soul which supports his physical power."
On, on Buffaloes!
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In a unique twist for ARTS 2323 Drawing III-Life, Pawfessor Willow Kate, a Labrador Retriever, posed as a live model. In this class, Willow Kate helped students hone their life-drawing skills by focusing on anatomy, structure, and the action of a live subject. Her role allowed students to explore the intricacies of canine anatomy. | |
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The Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences hosted the inaugural Jack-o-Lantern Jubilee last Monday. Leonard Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch donated 50 pumpkins for teams to carve or paint and enter in the decorating contest. Participants also enjoyed bingo, pumpkin golf and a caramel apple bar.
Congratulations to the pumpkin decorating winners!
School Spirit
Carving: WTAMU Herdsmen
Painting: WTAMU Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow
Most Creative
Carving: Entomology Club
Painting: WTAMU Advising Services
Best Overall
The Ghostly Ghouls
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The WTAMU Rodeo Team hosted their first jackpot Wednesday night. In honor of the season, it was Halloween-themed with prizes from Coolhorse and West Texas Western Store for the best costumes. Congratulations to the award winners:
Men’s Costumes: Weston Peters & Justin Wright
Women’s Costumes: Tyla Maness & Lynley Wright
Barrel Racing: Cole Nichols
Chute Dogging: Logan Martin
Breakaway Roping: Kashli Stouard
Tie-Down Roping: Tryce Johnson
Steer Riding: Gage Faulk
Goat Tying: Taylor Thompson
Team Roping: Gunner Truby & Logan Martin
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The WTAMU Pre-Vet Club hosted a Monster Mash Food Bash on Halloween. Participants were invited to come in costume and a $10 entry fee or canned food donation was collected to benefit St. Helen's Outreach. The highlight of the event was a dog costume contest, showcasing an array of decked-out dogs, bringing joy to attendees while supporting a good cause. | |
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Horse Judging Team Shines Again | |
The WTAMU Horse Judging Team traveled to Tulsa, OK for the Arabian National Horse Judging Contest on Oct. 25. The team finished 1st Overall after achieving 1st in Halter, 1st in Performance and 2nd in Reasons. | “This may have been a smaller contest, but this win means a lot,” explained Dr. Adams, team coach and Clinical Assistant Professor of Agricultural Business & Economics. “It was the first time for some of our students to ever compete at the college level and a proud reminder of the legacy we continue to uphold. Watching them step up and achieve makes me incredibly proud and excited for what’s to come next year!” | |
Ranch Horse Team Triumphs with Reserve Champion and Individual Wins | |
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The WTAMU Ranch Horse Team earned the Division 1 Reserve Championship title at the 2024 Stock Horse of Texas (SHTX) World Championship Show, held Oct. 24-27 in Abilene. Competing against 14 collegiate teams,
WTAMU secured 2nd and 3rd place finishes in Division 1, with outstanding individual performances across the four competition classes: Ranch Reining, Stock Horse Pleasure, Ranch Trail, and Cow Work.
Notable achievements included Bella Bridges winning Overall World Champion Collegiate Novice, Cutter McLaughlin earning World Champion Collegiate Non-Pro, and multiple top place finishes by WTAMU riders in both individual events and divisions.
Head Coach, Dr. Lance Baker, commended the team’s depth and dedication, highlighting the numerous individual awards won by WTAMU riders.
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WT Meat Judging Team Dominates at Cargill Competition | |
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West Texas A&M University’s Meat Judging Team recently took home another championship, powered by several perfect individual and team scores.
The team secured the Cargill High Plains Meat Judging Contest championship on Oct. 27 in Friona, with a score of 4,212.
“It is so exciting to see this team victorious as we head into the international contest next month,” said Dr. Loni Lucherk, Gordon W. Davis Endowed Chair in Meat Judging and team coach. “Most of these students had little to no experience in meat judging prior to coming to WT. Now, they are not just good at meat judging, they are leaders within University organizations and have an average GPA of 3.68. They are an all-around impressive group.”
The WT team placed first in pork judging and specifications, the latter with a perfect score. The team also placed second in reasons and beef grading, third in beef judging, fourth in placings and fifth in lamb judging.
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#ICYMI
In Case You Missed It
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