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Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Carlie Rutledge

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter

Hey y’all I’m Carlie and I’m excited to be a senior this year and participate in the newspaper for the second year. I’m from Willis, TX and I’m a communications major. I’m excited to see where this last year takes me and thrilled to be able to write stories for this amazing paper.

All content by Carlie Rutledge
"Driver" is by Kenedy Wheeler, a senior art major from Flower Mound.

New WT art exhibition showcases the versatility of printmaking

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter December 13, 2024

On Dec. 5, a new art exhibition called ‘Spare Change’ opened in the Dord Fitz Formal Art Gallery in West Texas A&M University’s Mary Moody Northen Hall. This exhibition includes pieces from three...

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As the semester comes to a close, these are some essential dates students should know at West Texas A&M.

Preparing for finals and winter break

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter December 3, 2024

With finals just around the corner, students must prepare for various papers and exams. The last day of classes will be Dec. 5, and finals will start on Dec. 7. The Princeton Review offers various studying...

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Dr. Cassidy Kilma has joined the VERO campus. She will focus on bovine health and wants to tackle the hard questions about bovine health that have been a struggle to answer.

New bovine health specialists joins Texas A&M’s VERO campus

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter November 21, 2024

A new faculty member is joining the Texas A&M AgriLife Research at Amarillo and the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’s (VMBS) Veterinary Education, Research, & Outreach...

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“Lost & Found” is a new art exhibition created by Younus Nomani, a new West Texas A&M University art faculty member.

New WT art exhibition puts language center stage

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter November 14, 2024

An exhibition by new West Texas A&M University art faculty member Younus Nomani highlights the power of words. “Lost & Found” by Nomani will be on view from Oct. 28 to Nov. 30 in the Dord Fitz...

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West Texas A&M University allows service animals and emotional support animals on campus after approval from the Office of Student Accessibility and University Housing.

Service and emotional support animals on campus

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter November 12, 2024

If qualified, West Texas A&M University students are allowed to have service animals and emotional support animals. When these animals are on campus, they must be leashed at all times and cannot be...

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With construction happening in and around campus, WT urges students and faculty to be cautious.

Construction in and around campus

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter November 7, 2024

Construction began on West Texas A&M University’s Geneva Schaeffer Education Building on May 13. A couple of years ago, as part of the historic $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign,...

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WT advances in the U.S. News and World Report ranking of Best Schools in the West

WT advances in the U.S. News and World Report ranking of Best Schools in the West

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter October 31, 2024

West Texas A&M University made a remarkable advancement in its standing among other West schools, according to newly released rankings from the U.S. News & World Report. Among the Best Value...

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Midterms are right around the corner, and for those students who need extra help before those tests, there are many tutoring centers on campus and online through BuffConnect.  These centers offer tutoring sessions and tips and tricks for students to utilize when they study.

A students guide to midterm prep

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter October 10, 2024

With midterms right around the corner, students can prepare in many ways. Midterms are typically cumulative exams that classes give in the middle of the school term. Students can use many resources on...

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After the 46th annual Pigskin Revue, the WT Student Government Association will light the eternal flame to bring back a homecoming tradition.

Homecoming tradition will be rekindled

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter October 7, 2024

West Texas A&M University is rekindling an old tradition at this year's Homecoming Week activities. The lighting of the Eternal Flame has not happened in the past five years. The WT Student Government...

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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens up Oct. 1 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Everything to know about FAFSA

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter October 3, 2024

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form students fill out to apply for federal aid, such as grants, work-study funds and loans. It is free and should take students less than an hour...

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WT has seen an increase in the number of students compared to 2023.

WT sees an increase in undergrad enrollment for fall 2024

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter September 20, 2024

Newly released figures show that in spite of recent issues with students applying for financial aid, West Texas A&M University actually saw an increase in undergraduate students for the fall 2024 semester. The...

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Staying hydrated is the best way to combat heat exhaustion.  Drinking fluids before becoming thirsty is the best way to be hydrated.

High heat, high risks

Carlie Rutledge, Multimedia Reporter September 20, 2024

Texas is known for many things, from its food and scenery to national landmarks like The Alamo. It is also known for its extreme weather, with 2023 being the hottest year recorded, according to the National...

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56% of surveyed college students said they had used artificial intelligence on assignments or exams.

Generative AI vs AI tools in higher education

Carlie Rutledge April 4, 2024

Generative artificial intelligence is nothing new to society. According to TechTarget, AI has existed since the 1960s but could not create “convincingly authentic images, videos and audio of real people”...

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Starting in the fall of 2024, WT students will be able to earn an associate's degree in addition to their bachelor's.

WT to offer embedded associate’s degrees

Carlie Rutledge March 28, 2024

Associate's degrees are typically obtained through local community colleges or online courses, with the exception of some four-year universities. According to a press release by Chip Chandler, West Texas...

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Gender trends in post-secondary schools show that more women are attending college compared to men, and the number of non-binary or transgender students is rising.

Growing gaps between genders in secondary education

Carlie Rutledge March 8, 2024

When students graduate high school, they must decide whether to continue pursuing higher education and go to college or head straight into the workforce. According to the Education Data Initiative, 61.8%...

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According to a recent poll, over 70% of students said that they prefer online or hybrid learning.

Why do students choose online learning?

Carlie Rutledge March 4, 2024

There are many factors in deciding which classes to pick in a degree plan. Classes may be required or just for fun, online, in-person or hybrid. When deciding what courses to take, students must determine...

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The free application for federal student aid is officially open for the 2024-2025 school year.

Understanding 2024-2025 FAFSA updates

Carlie Rutledge February 29, 2024

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has made changes for the 2024-2025 academic year. The new application had a delayed opening time of Dec. 31, 2023, because of new updates. That left...

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The goal of the First-Generation Support Group is to help students have a safe space to talk about and
learn how to manage their stressors.

First-generation students get support

Carlie Rutledge October 4, 2023

Senior Director of Health and Wellness Dayna Schertler and Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor Jennifer Gonzalez created the First-Generation Support Group in an attempt to help first-generation...

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