CANYON, Texas (KFDA) – West Texas A&M University hosts a range of summer programs \u2014 including academic, music and technology camps \u2014 drawing more than 4,600 minors to campus from across Texas and several other states.<\/p>\n
Camps serve as recruiting pipeline<\/p>\n
University officials said the programs are designed to make a lasting impression on students and encourage them to enroll at WT as Buffs. <\/p>\n
Music camp organizers said the program serves a dual purpose.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the reasons why we do our camp is we want to help, of course, educate students in the region and throughout the state of Texas. We feel like music education is important. But this is our best recruiting tool that we have for WT,\u201d said Don Lefevre, director of bands at WTAMU.<\/p>\n
Research focus expands in summer<\/p>\n
Summer also serves as a key period for student research at the university, according to officials.<\/p>\n
\u201cSummer is an exciting time for research, specifically for students. Faculty are doing research all year round, but what\u2019s important about the research at West Texas A&M University is that we\u2019re intentionally building our research capacity right now. We\u2019re doing this by starting here, solving local problems and focusing on local problems that have impacts both nationally and internationally,\u201d said Emily Hunt, associate vice president for research & innovation at WTAMU.<\/p>\n
Hands-on experience from day one<\/p>\n
University officials said incoming freshmen are placed into courses connected to their major during their first semester to build early connections with faculty and gain industry experience.<\/p>\n
Most programs also include internship or practicum components built into the degree.<\/p>\n
Students encouraged to find their community<\/p>\n
A current student said the university offers something for everyone, from intramural sports and student organizations to Greek life.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you leave here today thinking you didn\u2019t find a friend or you didn\u2019t feel as welcome in some stuff, you just got to wait it out a little bit and just see where the boat takes you because little do you know, you are going to find a community. Whether that\u2019s an intramural sports, whether it\u2019s in an org, whether it\u2019s in Greek life or anything like that \u2014 they have a little bit of everything for everyone here,\u201d said Xavier Champion, media intern for the Office of Orientation & Academic Success at WTAMU. \u201cYou can be afraid, but it\u2019s okay to be afraid because you\u2019re experiencing something new. And it\u2019s just you being you.\u201d<\/p>\n
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