Life as a Gorilla at Pittsburg State University

Life as a Gorilla, what a strange title, but that is what you are living as when attending Pittsburg State University. Many have been Gorillas, many are Gorillas now, and many more will be Gorillas as the years go by. One thing is for sure, once a gorilla, always a gorilla. I have both friends and family members who attended Pitt State and still consider themselves Gorillas. Now we will delve into what it entails to be a Gorilla.

As I sit and observe my fellow Gorillas between my classes, I see a whole lot going on. Several of my fellow Gorillas scampering about hurrying from class to class or from class to car, or visa-versa. To me, the Pitt State campus seems like a giant ant colony with hundreds of ants scurrying about all of the time. The roads and walkways are like the tunnels and the buildings and classrooms are like the chambers where the ants gather and work.

There are several types of students, just like there are several types of ants in a colony. In an ant colony, there are worker ants, soldier ants, and then the royalty, the queen ant. In a college environment, there are students, workers, and faculty members. Now, how are these divisions in the college environment similar to the divisions in an ant colony?

In many ways, the two are quite similar, and in some ways they are different. Of course, we of Pitt State are not known as the Ants, but the hustle and bustle of college activity makes me thing of the hustle and bustle of an ant colony. We may not have a queen similar to the ants' queen, but we do have a queen, a homecoming queen. We do not have soldiers, per se, but we do have an ROTC program that trains college students in the way of the army. Now, there are workers, and just like the workers of an ant colony, the workers of Pitt State scurry about Pitt State making repairs and cleaning up. Now we need to get to the gist of this, the students, the Gorillas, of Pitt State.

Like ants, the students or Gorillas, scurry and hustle around the campus. Scurrying about like busy little ants. They rush from one place to another like it is a life or death situation. Watching them go, I pick out one or two to really examine, in a way putting a magnifying glass on them to see them closer. As I examine them I notice that one detail, that one little thing that makes us all similar, and also unique at the same time. Our pride as Gorillas is that one detail. We all take our pride as a Gorilla to different levels, different extremes. Some of us go to ever sports event we possibly can and cheer our hearts out for the Gorillas. Some people even go to the extreme of using body paint and make-up to decorate themselves to show their pride for the Gorillas. Others, however, are a little less extreme about their Gorilla pride. Yes, everyone has pride for the Gorillas, but there are some that only to go to a few games, like maybe homecoming, and do not do anything that makes them stand out in the crowd of other people there.

Being a Gorilla is a great honor for anyone. But as I watch and observe many of my fellow Gorillas, it seems to me, that some take the honor more seriously than others. Some people just seem to cruise through each day like it is any other day. Others, the ones who take being a Gorilla more seriously, they get out there and get involved in college life. These people are generally the ones that you see rushing around like they can never get from one place to another in time.

There are so many opportunities to get involved with so many different activities, clubs, and organizations. The possibilities seem to be almost endless. With groups that specialize in anything and everything from the countless Greek organizations to the many different clubs and groups it would be nearly impossible for one person to be involved in everything.

Add to that, the fact that more and more groups and clubs seem to be added all of the time. The average Pitt State student, or Gorilla, can and possibly will spend almost 15 hours a day, or 75 hours a week, just involved with something college related. Whether it is a class, a club, an organization, or just good old ordinary homework. Not to mention, closer to the end of the term, the many Gorillas who will nearly burn themselves out just cramming for one or all of their final exams. The more dedicated Gorillas will have begun studying as soon as they start the term.

Now, This is the lovely, honorable, glorious life of the Pitt State Gorilla. From class work to clubs and societies, this is how a Gorilla spends their time. And that is what it is to me to be a Pitt State Gorilla.