Picture it: two TLU grads, both with degrees in art, have returned to the studio where they used to take classes, and are keeping company—hours and hours’ worth—with a giant squirrel.
Mia Ramirez, who graduated in 2021 with a degree in art and literature, is outlining the squirrel’s t-shirt, while Emi Aubin, who earned their B.A. in art a year later, sits on the floor brushing gray paint onto the rock the squirrel is standing on.
The squirrel—an adorable four-foot-tall critter with a twinkle in his eye thanks to Ramirez’s handiwork—is a part of Seguin’s Squirrel Trail, an initiative by the local Commission on the Arts that aims to get more art into public places. There are squirrel statues all over town, each of them uniquely conceptualized and painted by a different artist.
“We at TLU are thrilled to be sponsoring a squirrel as part of the Seguin Squirrel Trail,” says Executive Assistant to the President Susan Rinn. “I’ve been excited about this project since its inception and am delighted that we can participate. What a fun way to be part of the Seguin story! We are so pleased that two of our TLU visual arts graduates, Mia Ramirez and Emi Aubin, have agreed to be our artists, and both call Seguin home.”
Ramirez works in TLU’s Admissions Department as an application data analyst—a position meaningful to her not only because she worked in Admissions as a student, but because “in some way, I'm impacting everybody's college process, like the first initial step that they do, which is filling out their applications,” she says.
Meanwhile, Aubin works right across campus as the Administrative Assistant for Student Affairs. “This campus is a second home to me, and this community has been so important to me over the years,” they say. “I want to remain a part of it, and, even if it’s in a small way, I want to give back. I enjoy making people’s days easier and I want to feel like I’m being helpful to them. My job largely consists of just that, so it’s a good fit. I know that every small thing I do helps the campus run a little bit more smoothly, so it’s easy to attach meaning to my work.”
It was Rinn’s idea to pull the two artists together for the squirrel project, and the rest is history—a history involving many hours back in their old stomping grounds in Schuech Fine Arts Center. Rinn simply gave them the directive to come up with a design that was distinctly TLU. “What's more TLU than black and gold?” says Ramirez, pointing out that even the pecan the squirrel holds will be adorned with black and gold polka dots. “I think our colors really stand out true and loud.”
Every squirrel, of course, needs a name, and it was decided that the TLU squirrel would be named Buddy, in honor of a longtime, beloved TLU groundskeeper who recently passed away. “When I was discussing concepts with the artists, we talked about portraying the spirit of TLU, but they also felt strongly in showing the beauty of the TLU campus,” says Rinn. “We named our squirrel ‘Buddy’ as a tribute to our wonderful groundskeeper, Buddy Landrum, who brought joy to faculty, staff, and students with his beautiful gardens. You’ll see the flower at the squirrel’s feet—this will always remind us of the beautiful gifts that Buddy blessed us with.”
Both artists agree that the squirrel would bring a smile to Buddy’s face. And both feel a sense that they are giving something back—both to their alma mater and to the world of art—with this project.
“I'm a first generation student,” says Ramirez. “Even just coming to college was something that I didn't think I was ever going to do. But I got to be part of the art program here and it changed my mind on lots of things. I figured out who I was as a person and it's crazy to be able to give something back like this to the school that's changed my life. That's amazing.”
Aubin adds that the squirrel project might also draw attention to the art program at TLU “The Art Department here doesn't get much credit. I feel like two art students being part of this initiative might shed more light on it. Honestly, the thing that I want from this more than anything else is just more eyes on the art program.”
Although both Ramirez and Aubin have non-art-related jobs on campus, they’re still 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.
So how long will it be until we can all gather ‘round Buddy the squirrel? The official unveiling will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 outside the historic Fritz House. There will be cookies and lemonade, and TLU President Debbie Cottrell, Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen, TLU alum and Seguin Main Street Director Kyle Kramm, and artists Ramirez and Aubin will be on hand to join the celebration.
In the shade of the pecan and oak trees, on a campus that’s already teaming with squirrels, Buddy should feel right at home.