This is one of several geocaches located at Cameron University that celebrate the traditions and history of Southwest Oklahoma's premier higher ed institution. This one answers the question, "What is an Aggie?"
If you didn’t grow up in a rural area, you probably never heard the term “Aggie.” So just exactly what is it?
In its purest sense, an aggie is someone from the farm. The name was commonly given to students attending agricultural schools, and that’s where Cameron comes in. Founded in 1908 as a high school, the Cameron State School of Agriculture provided farm training and an education – along with room and board – to children of rural families. It wasn’t long after it opened that student athletes began calling themselves “Aggies.”
For more than a century, the name has stuck, but not without a few challenges. In the 1920s, CSSA became the “Cowboys” for a couple of years before returning to the Aggie name. Then, in 1968, Cameron administrators wanted the teams to become the "Cardinals" as part of its transition to a university … but students would have none of it. As recently as 2003 it was suggested that the Aggie name no longer was an accurate way to describe a Cameron student. The school came unbelievably close to changing the name of its sports teams to the "Cavalry" – until a wise alumnus noted that “it doesn’t matter what you call us, we’ll always be Aggies.”
And so they remain.
In a world where everyone wants to start new traditions, it’s incredibly important to keep old ones. Even though most Cameron students don’t come here to study agriculture, the Aggie name binds them all, whether they are current students, or ones who studied here during the turbulent 1960s, or earned a junior college degree at Cameron State Agricultural College during World War II, or learned blacksmithing at the Cameron State School of Agriculture in 1911.
Some Aggies feed the world through hard work in the fields or through research in the laboratory. Others have been led to feed the souls of men. Aggies teach our children, heal us when we are ill, keep our streets safe from crime and save our lives in time of disaster.
Aggies have fought in every conflict since The Great War. Nineteen earned a general’s command, and one of them became chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Far too many Aggies gave their lives so that we could keep our freedom. One earned the title of “ace” for his aerial exploits in World War II and three others were awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery in combat.
Another Aggie’s work in genetic research made it possible to identify remains of American servicemen killed in action – as well as the victims of war crimes and disasters around the world – and brought closure to grieving families.
Aggies have distinguished themselves on the gridiron, the diamond and the court, both in college and professional sports.
Some Aggies have walked the halls of the State Capitol enacting laws, and two became Speakers of the Oklahoma House. Other Aggies have built distinguished careers interpreting those laws in the courtroom.
Some Aggies have been expert communicators who have been honored with Pulitzers and Emmys for covering the news. Others have been entertainers whose songs have topped the charts and won Grammys.
No matter what they do, the goal of every Aggie is to be the very best. It has always been that way. These roots go back more than a century.