West Texas A&M University hosted their Reflections from WT podcast in the Rotunda at Pampa High School on Tuesday afternoon.
Associate Lecturer of Media Communication, Director of Broadcast Engineering and Pampa Harvester Hall of Fame, Randy Ray, said it wasn’t for students to watch a podcast.
“We are doing a workshop for the entire school system’s (PISD) media students,” Ray said. “After that we are going to host the podcast called ‘Reflections from WT’ that I do with (WTAMU President) Dr. Walter Wendler every month. We’re just going to talk about Pampa and the connections WT has with Pampa.”
Reflections from WT not only highlights the life of WT students and faculty, but also to highlight the Texas Panhandle and South Plains.
“I think it’s a great place to be (WT),” Dr. Wendler said. “But sometimes because it’s so close, people take it for granted. I’ve been at good universities all over the country and I’ve studied good universities all over the country. But there are many aspects of WT, and I mean good things, that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s a university that has good strong work ethic and value system.”
Podcasts have really grown over the last several years, evolving from a simple radio show to the virtual immortality of the internet.
“It’s crazy the way podcasts have exploded,” Ray said. “You can find a topic on any and everything when it comes to podcasts. In the old days it was called ‘talk radio.’ Talk radio is the No. 1 radio format. But podcasts are really just talk radio on-demand. You can get information on any and everything in a podcast.
“Our podcast, Reflections from WT, talks about WT, connections between WT and local communities and the future of education.”
Dr. Wendler has had a strong passion for the rural communities since coming to WT, and a lot of that has to do with the values rural students have.
“I want to let people know that we do appreciate (rural students),” Dr. Wendler said. “These Panhandle kids help make WT a better university. They bring the values and ethics from these smaller communities. That does exist in larger cities, but it really is part of what is distinctive about this region. I want those kids to come to WT.”
Ray’s picture can be found just above where the podcast was broadcast from in the PHS Rotunda, and Ray said it’s always good to come back home.
“It’s always special to come back home to Pampa,” Ray said. “Pampa is my roots and where I grew up. I wouldn’t be the man that I am today without the roots of Pampa, Texas. It’s always humbling for me.
“I’ll never forget when I got the call to be inducted in the PHS Hall of Fame. I was floored and humbled just to be honored like that.”
Ray added this is the first time they’ve taken the podcast on-location and may take it on the road in the future.
