(Seguin) – TLU is no longer home to just the Bulldog. It’s also now home to the Squirrel.
Bright, bold, and powerful are the words being used to describe the city of Seguin’s 12th and newest Squirrel recently unveiled on the Texas Lutheran University campus. Seguin’s Squirrel Trail program promotes the fiberglass squirrel statues that are sponsored publicly, painted and then placed at various locations around town. At TLU, folks can find “Buddy” the Squirrel nestled under the trees at the historic Fritz House located near the corner of Prexy and West Court Streets.
Helping to unveil “Buddy” to the university and Seguin community was TLU President Dr. Debbie Cottrell. Cottrell says the unveiling of Buddy is extra special as it serves as a tribute to one of their beloved groundskeepers who died this past year.
“Just so happy that we can pay tribute to our colleague Buddy Landrum with this squirrel as well,” said Cottrell. “Buddy was a longtime colleague, and he was very attentive to keeping our campus beautiful. He was known for the gardens and for just a lot of tender care at TLU’s campus and so, as I said, when we decided that the squirrel should have a name, it just seemed so completely appropriate to honor Buddy with this squirrel and he was also someone as I said who just brought a lot of joy to our hearts and we have no doubt that Buddy has a big smile today thinking about this squirrel being here and being named for him.”
Cottrell says the creativity behind Buddy is also a showcase of the many talents that can be found at TLU.
“I think he’s beautiful. I think he captures the spirit of TLU. I think he is a beautiful example of public art. So proud that we have two young alums who worked hard on this and had the vision to make the design like it is,” said Cottrell.
Responsible for Buddy’s bright, bold and powerful presence are those two young alums Mia Ramirez and Emi Aubin. Both currently work for TLU and were handpicked for the opportunity to display their artistic ability.
Ramirez, who currently works in the TLU Admissions Department, says she not only wanted Buddy to set the tone for the campus but she wanted every part of him to be reflective of the campus community.
“My favorite part is the tail. It’s all the little paw prints and then like the ombre of oranges and yellows — it just really kind of pulls them all together. I also like the eyes. If you get really up close to them, you can see that there are little stars in the eyes – just to be kind of star struck, I guess. I want our students to feel like that when they come on campus to visit us, (I want them to say) – ‘Wow, this is the place for me to be. This is like my home too,’” said Ramirez.
Like Ramirez, Aubin, who works as the administrative assistant for Student Affairs, agrees that Buddy’s eyes will do most of the talking when visitors stop by for a visit.
“Me personally, I’m obsessed with the eyes. Mia put such a lovely little twinkle into them. It’s very whimsical and kind of ‘fairytale-ish’ and disclaimer, Mia is the real traditional painter of the two of us. I am a digital illustrator so I really could just assist her where she needed me to. She would just kind of let me know what she needed help with,” said Aubin.
Aubin says the hope now is that the squirrel will bring some much needed attention to the TLU Art Department and its talented pool of students and staff.
“I also really hope that it makes people kind of take notice of the art department that TLU has. With the mural unveiling (across Langner Hall) and things like that, I feel like there’s been a little more light shown on the art department as a whole which brings me such joy. It just makes me happy at the idea that things like this and the mural and all of that will get more eyes on the art department and make people realize more that TLU’s art department is actually pretty good. There’s a lot of genuine love and passion for the artworld and I learned so so much as a student here,” said Aubin.
Although Ramirez and Aubin have non-art-related jobs on campus, TLU officials say they are both actively making art. “Aubin regularly produces digital art and Ramirez is a hyper-realistic artist who works on commission and is also studying to become a tattoo artist.”
There is approximately a dozen more squirrels that are still scheduled to be unveiled over the next year throughout the city of Seguin. Squirrel sponsorships are also still available for $2,500. Those interested in participating in the program are asked to contact the Seguin Main Street Program at 830-401-2448.
Other squirrel locations include the Seguin Public Library, Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Schertz Bank & Trust; Seguin’s Central Park, Seguin’s Hike & Bike Trail just behind St. James Catholic Church, the Meservey Group PLLC, Starcke Park East, Park West and Bauer Park, the Women’s Federated Club Building and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.