Students from Clarendon College learn new skills at Mesalands

March 21, 2016

Colton Jackson, a student at Clarendon College pursuing Ranch and Feedlot Operations, shines up a pair of spurs he built during a one-week course at Mesalands Community College.

Colton Jackson, a student at Clarendon College pursuing Ranch and Feedlot Operations, shines up a pair of spurs he built during a one-week course at Mesalands Community College.

Mesalands Community College is pleased to announce that r 17 students from Clarendon College, in Clarendon, TX, recently completed two courses in Artistic Silversmithing and Farrier Science at Mesalands. This partnership between both institutions gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, learn from other students, and exposes them to new programs.

“The week went very well and all of the students are happy. We had our (Mesalands) students mentor the Clarendon students. We had one of our students with two of theirs, therefore, all of the students could benefit from this opportunity,” said Eddy Mardis, Artistic Silversmithing Faculty at Mesalands. “It’s better for Clarendon to come over to our campus because we have the facilities and equipment here. It’s also a lot more productive for all of the students.”

For over 10 years, faculty members from Mesalands Community College travelled to Clarendon College to teach one-week courses in Farrier Science, in which students learn horseshoeing and blacksmithing skills. This course was usually offered during the spring semester. This year, students and faculty members from Clarendon travelled to Mesalands to take FAS 121: Horseshoeing Laboratory 1, instructed by Paul Leonard, Farrier Science Faculty at Mesalands and ART 290: Silversmithing Studio I, instructed by Mardis and Gary Loveland, Western Arts Aide. In Artistic Silversmithing, students learn about the field of western culture arts, including fabricating, engraving, and custom designing

“It really is a better deal for us. Eddy and Gary are already equipped with the machinery here on campus. Before they would have to haul the machinery and equipment to us and it’s easier for us just bring the students here,” said Laban Tubbs, Ranch and Feedlot Operations Instructor at Clarendon College. “Eddy and Gary are talented craftsmen and are good instructors. All of our students have learned a lot and done very well.”

The set of spurs Colton Jackson created and engraved at Mesalands Community College.

The set of spurs  Jackson created and engraved at Mesalands Community College.

Tubbs said in the Farrier Science course students were required to properly shoe the front leg and hind leg of a horse. In Artistic Silversmithing, they had to build a pair of spurs and engrave them. He said many of the students had some extra time and built a belt buckle as well.

“The farrier course wasn’t hard because I have experience doing that. The engraving was my favorite part of the week and hanging out with my friends. I have never done anything like this before. For the last two days, I’ve been in the engraving room practicing my engraving and helping everyone else with theirs,” said Colton Jackson, a Ranch and Feedlot Operations student at Clarendon College. “There are a lot of nice people here and it’s just a really nice environment to work in and a great place to be.”

Jackson plans to graduate in May with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Ranch and Feedlot Operations from Clarendon College. He says he has a variety of ranch jobs lined up after graduation. He is also interested in training horses and now has a new skill in fabricating and in engraving.

Clarendon class2

Students from Clarendon College in Clarendon, TX recently completed two courses in Artistic Silversmithing and in Farrier Science at Mesalands Community College. Students and instructors from both institutions assisted the Clarendon students in building over 25 sets of spurs and belt buckles, displayed on the table in front of them