Lubbock Sights: Texas Tech University

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The Texas Tech University university campus is 2 mi² (5 km²) of mixed-use buildings, rich landscape, a natural rangeland preserve and a student-run golf course. The campus is renowned for its Spanish-style architecture. Walking the campus early morning or late afternoon are best to avoid the throngs of students. Park in the surrounding neighborhoods for free or on campus for $1 to $2 per hour. There are greeters posted at most entrances who will offer directions and instructions for using the electronic meters. On the campus grounds are several outstanding buildings and amazing artwork. A few hours worth of walking is well worth it. Be sure to visit Memorial Circle, Student Union & University Library, English & Philosophy Complex, Sports Complex and Urbanovsky Park.

• The University Seal & Fountain - University Ave. & Broadway, A 12 ft (4 m) red granite sculpture depicting the symbols for home, school, church and state. Graduates traditionally have their picture taken next to the seal in full gown with friends and family.

• Park Place - College of Human Sciences, Sculpture garden by Glenna Goodacre installed in 1999. The sculpture's seven pieces depict the seven stages of human life in honor of the College of Human Sciences.

• Will Rogers & Soapsuds - Memorial Circle, 10 FT bronze statue of Will Rogers and his famed horse. The student body voted during its installation in 1950 to turn the horses posterior towards Texas A&M University in College Station - traditional rivals. The statue is wrapped in red crêpe paper by the Saddle Tramps, a student organization, before home football games and black crêpe after national tragedies.

• Student Union Building, Sculpture Garden and Library - 15th St. & Boston Ave., A paved walkway between the newly renovated Student Union Building and Library features several memorial pieces and the controversial Whirlwind series which continues into the Student Union. The foyer and main reading room of the Library also house several sculptures and paintings.

• International Cultural Center, 601 Indiana Ave., 806 742-2974, library.ttu.edu/icc. An extension of the Libraries of Texas Tech which focuses on audio/visual studies and education. The center's libraries contains a far-reaching collection of foreign language film and music.

• Southwest Collection, 15th St. & Detroit Ave., 806 742-3749, swco.ttu.edu. The Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library houses the Archive of Turkish Oral Narrative www.aton.ttu.edu, Vietnam Archive swco.ttu.edu/vietnam1.htm, Sowell Collection library.ttu.edu/swco/sowell and the West Texas Historical Association swco.ttu.edu/WestTexas/index.htm. The building is behind the gazebo-sculptures at 15th & Boston Ave. and north of the Agriculture Pavilion. The building is marked but tucked away from the intersection. The collection will host an exhibit, “Medieval Southwest: Manifestations of the Old World in the New” from Aug. 13, 2008 through through April 4, 2009. The multidisciplinary collaboration will draw on the expertise of historians, musicians, architects and anthropologists; utilize the resources of Texas Tech campuses on two continents; and tap dozens of collections of rare and precious items to give visitors a glimpse of the Southwest as it was during the days of Coronado and Mission San Sabá.

• University Library, 15th St. & Boston Ave., 806 742-0737, library.ttu.edu. Main library on campus and the largest research library in the region. The building was designed to resemble a bookshelf, but the red brickwork and tall white arches give the library a distinctive radiator appeal. The Institute for Studies in Pragmaticism www.pragmaticism.net is on the 3rd floor.

• Lubbock Lake Landmark, 2401 Landmark Ln., 806 742-1116 www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/lll/index.html, Tu-Sat 9AM-5PM, Mon 1PM-5PM. The landmark is a natural history and archaeological preserve on the northwest corner of the city. Visitors can take a three-mile walking tour of the grounds. The landmark documents and preserves evidence of over 12,000 years of continuous human occupation in the region. The facility is designated a National Historic and State Archaeological Landmark.

• Moody Planetarium, 4th St. & Indiana Ave., 806 742-2442, www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu. The 78-seat planetarium features a talk radio-style show called WSKY, hosted by Dr. Cosmos. Seating is limited. There is a observatory available to the public at dusk most nights. UNDER MAJOR RENOVATION.

• Museum of Texas Tech University, 4th St. & Indiana Ave., 806 742-2442 www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu. Founded in 1929, the Museum is a major center of scientific research and houses the Diamond M Fine Arts Collection, portions of the Southwest Collection and a newly construction research center.

• National Ranching Heritage Center, 4th St. & Indiana Ave., 806 742-0498, www.depts.ttu.edu/ranchhc. A historical park adjacent to the Museum containing several dozen authentic ranch buildings and exhibits on ranching heritage and the livestock industry. The center is often populated by players depicting life in a late 19th Century ranching town. UNDER MAJOR RENOVATION.