Staff Spotlight
Makenze Anderson
I love the people I work with. My favorite thing about the job is all the friendly people. I also enjoy that responsibilities are always changing and not the same thing every day.
Mike Lamar
Lamar oversees the care of all the exterior of campus and his daily duties vary depending on the time of year. From mowing and tree trimming to snow removal, Lamar enjoys it all. Additional responsibilities included caring for the ball fields and flower beds as well as all watering and fertilizing across campus. This year marked the second year for the Aggie Wonderland Christmas light show, a project that Lamar has a huge part in putting lights up and taking them down. With a grin, Lamar also adds “campus critter care” to his list of responsibilities as he enjoys keeping an eye on the owls that make their home in the trees outside of Sewell-Loofbourrow from season to season.
Lamar commented on the job, “I love all the people I work with and my favorite thing about the job would be all the friendly people. I also enjoy that the responsibilities are always changing and not the same thing every day.”
His face lights up as he thinks back on all the campus improvements he has seen and been a part of over the years. Some of his favorite projects include the recent walking trail and football turf project.
Physical Plant Director Laura Duran said, “Mike is probably one of the most happy-go-lucky people I know, always with a smile on his face. No matter the job that needs done, his positive attitude never changes!”
Born and raised in Guymon, Okla., Lamar graduated from high school in Texhoma, Okla. With his dad working on campus in the maintenance department and his brother already attending Panhandle State, it just seemed natural for Lamar to follow in their footsteps.
He began working at the school farm in 1998, as a student, bringing the current total of his years of service to over 20.
Lamar greatly enjoyed his time as a student noting the small environment as one of his favorite things about the University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness with a minor in Animal Science Production as well as a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy with a minor in Criminal Justice.
His current position makes it obvious that Lamar loves being outdoors, so it is no surprise that hunting and fishing are some of his favorite hobbies. Family time is also at the top of his list of favorites, especially spoiling his niece and nephew. Lamar has served as a volunteer firefighter for the Guymon Fire Department for 17 years and is a member of the Honor Guard. He also loves Aggie Athletics and it’s very common to see him cheering for the Aggies at any and all of the sporting events.