textile

 

They don't build them like this any more.  Texas Technological College was established in 1923 and in the Fall of 1925 all 313 of the School of Engineering students attended classes in the Textile Engineering Building. According to the master plan, the Textile Building at the north end of the Engineering Key was a counterpart to the Administration Building to the south.  The intricate portal is reminiscent of Southwest missions and is in keeping with the campus Spanish  Renaissance style. In the niches traditionally reserved for saints are stylized cotton bales -- the patron saint of the South Plains.

 

Textile Engineering (today known as Mechanical Engineering)

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

a klutch of kayaks

 

I had to share the pool this afternoon with a kayaking class today. Paddling back and forth seemed like fun but that capsizing and hanging upside is for the birds!

 

Texas Tech Aquatic Center

Lubbock, Texas

 



the greenhouse effect

 

The yuccas shiver in the snow while the greenhouse plants bask in the warmth.

 

Texas Tech Horticulture Greenhouse and Gardens

Lubbock, Texas

tis the season

 

To celebrate the season, today the usually bare-headed Will Rogers sported a Christmas cap. This might not have been University-approved attire.  The inscription on the statue of Will and his horse Soapsuds, dedicated to Texas Tech by Amon Carter, reads "riding into the Western sunset." Like Will, Tech students are heading into the sunset as they finish finals before Christmas break. While placing the statue, it was not politically correct for Will to ride due west, thus putting Soapsuds' posterior aimed down Broadway toward downtown.  So Will was positioned 23 degrees east making Texas A&M the target, so the story goes.

 

Will Rogers and Soapsuds

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

wreck 'em tech

 

Have you seen the latest addition to the Texas Tech brand?  If you didn't catch this locomotive on the Lubbock and Western rails between Lubbock and Seagraves or Whiteface, you might see it at the Wolfforth depot.  The university-themed engine is owned by Watco Company which took over the West Texas and Lubbock Railway.  Read more of the story here

 

Wolfforth, Texas

11.1.2015



wreck 'em tech

 

I admire the willingness of this business to capitalize on the driving habits of Texas Tech students!  Did you notice the increase of traffic in Lubbock today with the influx of students and parents? A&J's business just might improve!

 

A & J Collision Tech

335 Buddy Holly Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

inside the greenhouse

 

The Texas Tech Greenhouse was constructed in 1973 and the complex currently consists of eight glass and aluminum National Greenhouses, a steam drying facility and a plant laboratory with 7 growth chambers, and standard laboratory equipment. The greenhouse complex has 4 research houses with high intensity lighting and automated temperature control to support the estimated $3,000,000 of research conducted for federal, state and private grants each year.  In addition, the three teaching compartments house an interior foliage collection along with plant production facilities to support the laboratory experiences of students.  If you have not strolled through the Greenhouse gardens, it's worth a trip.  On a sad note, Linnaeus the Greenhouse Cat is missing.  He's been know to roam and has been picked up previously by campus police.  However, this absence has been long term.

 

Texas Tech Greenhouse

Lubbock, Texas

size 99 athletic shoe

 

The West Plaza of the Student Union Building was busy today as students were enjoying the spring-like weather.  You could win a t-shirt by shooting hoops at the inflatable shoe, visit with Raider Red, eat brisket at Smokin' Joe's stand, sign up for service clubs and enjoy jelly beans handed out by the Young Conservatives of Texas at Tech in honor of Ronald Reagan's 104th birthday!

 

West Plaza, Student Union Building

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

tech lights

 

Each year Texas Tech  outlines buildings around Memorial Circle, the Engineering Key and the Broadway Entrance to the campus with  25,000 lights of red, yellow and white.  The lights highlight the Spanish Renaissance style columns,window structures, archways and pilasters.  The cornerstone on the colonnade indicates that the Engineering Building was constructed in 1951-- 10 years before Tech's Carol of Lights began.

 

Civil Engineering Building

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

texas rising

 

"Texas Rising" by Joe O'Connell and Blessing Hancock is the latest public art to grace the Texas Tech campus.  It is the focal point of West Village, the newest student housing featuring apartments for upper classmen.  The 9-point steel star glistens in the sun but I'm making a point to return in the evening to see the illuminated sculpture change colors.

 

West Village

Texas Tech University

Indiana and Tech Parkway

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Rising

Texas Rising by Night

 

the tunnel

 

As part of my job in emergency planning, I visit some hidden parts of the Texas Tech University campus.  Most recent tour was part of the underground tunnel system.  The subterranean maze of almost 10 miles carries most of the campus utilities like fiberoptic cables, steamed and chilled water, and telephone lines.  This tunnel runs from CHACP 2 (Central Heating and Cooling Plant) to the University Medical Center (UMC).  We were looking at tornado safe sheltering areas.  The tunnel is protected -- unless the pipes break or debris blocks egress.  In that case, one would go to the nearest fan room along the tunnel, climb the vertical ladder, use the adjacent bolt cutters on the grate and exit outdoors -- somewhere in the grassy area between CHACP 2 and UMC south of 9th Street.

 

The tunnel system originated in 1929 with the construction of the Administration Building.  As new buildings are built, they are tied to CHACP 1 on Main Street.  Click here for more information on Texas Tech Utilities.  Go here if you're interested in a ghost story related to Tech tunnels.

cubism

 

Cubism: artistic style using geometric shapes; developed in the early 20th century and emphasizes the representation of natural forms as geometric shapes seen from several angles.  The subterranean patio of the Rawls College of Business resembles abstract art.  It is deserted not only because students have left for Thanksgiving break but also due to 40-degree weather.  I went to photograph the new bear/bull sculptures but found the patio more interesting.

 

Rawls College of Business

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

cactus in a painted desert

 

The walkway into the School of Art overlooks a project work area.  Today a lone cactus was the sole occupant.  With the fall semester starting Monday, the space will begin to bustle with art creations both abstract and avant.

 

Texas Tech School of Art

18th and Flint

Lubbock, Texas

illumination

 

Today I toured the Wiggins complex which offices University Housing and Hospitality Services.  They used black and white photographs by Art Limmer as artwork (http://www.artielimmer.com).  I love Artie's work -- he has captured the spirit of Texas Tech.  I never thought about the Carol of Lights sans color but was taken by the Administration Building in b/w by Artie.  Enough that I hurried home to see what some of my Christmas shots would look like in monochrome. 

Season's Greetings in June!

 

Chemistry Building

Texas Tech

Lubbock, Texas

class of 2013

 

Congratulations to Taylor -- Texas Tech University Class of 2013 with degree in Chemical Engineering (summa cum laude) and a job!

 

Chemistry Building

Texas Tech

Lubbock, Texas

headless horseman

 

Remember the Southwest Conference Circle on the Texas Tech campus?  It was built in 1958 when Tech became a member of the SWC.  Using funds raised by the Saddle Tramps and other student organizations, the mascots of the SWC colleges were represented on concrete and terrazzo slabs in a circle.  The SWC Circle was the site of pep rallies and bonfires until the SWC was disbanded.  Its former location will now be the future home of the Petroleum Engineering Research Building.  TTU announced plans to "try" to preserve the circle and the removed slabs are piled on the construction site.  It appears the other SWC mascots like the Razorback and Aggie are intact slabs.  The misfortunate Red Raider and his steed, however, are missing their heads--although the smaller pieces with the heads are there.  It must be the price of progress.

polo practice 2

 

Texas Tech Women's Water Polo Team

Lubbock, Texas

christmas chemistry

 

Traditionally the central buildings on the Texas Tech campus are illuminated for Christmas.  The classic facade of the Chemistry Building is part of the Quadrangle.  An annual trek through Texas Tech is recommended as part of your holiday festivities.

arcade

 

English Building

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas