TWU’s spirit leader leaves big shoes to fill

It may have been Andy Hackett’s final activity when he crossed the stage to accept his diploma from Texas Woman’s University, but the legacy he left behind as the university’s spirit leader means there will be very big shoes to fill.

Figuratively and literally.

Hackett, who played the role of Oakley, the university’s cuddly barn owl mascot, was easily the most identifiable spirit leader at TWU for the last three years, which means he’ll be a tough act to follow.

Of course, as Oakley, Hackett donned a hefty mascot’s outfit that included size 17 EEE shoes, which really does mean he’ll have big shoes to fill.

Hackett, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Development with a minor in Political Science, chose Texas Woman’s after his mother recommended the university. He quickly fell in love with the campus because of its small class sizes, opportunities for involvement and scholarship availability.

Those opportunities made Hackett one of the most involved and dedicated students on campus.

He initially majored in Communications Sciences and Disorders with the intention to become a speech language pathologist, but then switched majors to Child Development after he realized his true passion was in connecting young people to nature and the outdoors. 

While at Texas Woman’s, he co-founded a summer camp for LGBTQIA+ youth in Texas and has since expanded that camp to four locations across the nation. Going forward, he hopes to keep providing LGBTQIA+ youth with safe, affirming summer camp experiences and foster a love and appreciation for the outdoors. 

Hackett’s next adventure will be at Gilmont Camp and Conference Center in Gilmer, Texas, to serve as the program and mission coordinator. He will be working to revamp its outdoor education program that connects local schools to hands-on, nature-based learning as well as a weekend retreat for children with developmental disabilities and their families. 

Long term, he wants to establish a nature preschool.

Hackett said the getting to be Oakley for three years will be a role for which he will forever be grateful. That’s something future Oakleys should bear in mind when filling those big shoes.