Deming, New Mexico, native Truett Shafer’s passion for landscape design led him to the Texas Tech University’s landscape architecture program.
In high school, Shafer was involved in 4-H and FFA. He was the chapter president and participated in public speaking contests and career development events.
“I am extremely competitive, and I love to win,” said Shafer, a landscape architecture major at Texas Tech.
While in high school, he used his competitiveness in agronomy, entomology, wildlife and pasture FFA contests.
His judging experience influenced Shafer’s decision to join the wool judging team when he came to Texas Tech. As a member of the wool team, he placed second in the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo’s wool judging contest.
Although landscape architecture might seem like a long way from wool judging, Shafer developed a passion for landscape design by qualifying for the national landscape design contest through FFA. This opened his mind up to the concept of landscape design, which inspired him to pursue a career in landscape architecture.
In high school, Shafer enjoyed his math and art classes, where he had a lot of experience with building sculptures, which helped him in his decision on choosing the landscape architecture program at Texas Tech.
Shafer’s mom, Jennifer Shafer, said that Truett has always been passionate about his work.
“Truett has always been very driven,” Jennifer said. “Once he sets his intentions on a goal, he will do whatever it takes to achieve it.”
Shafer worked for Kris Leck, an owner of a landscape architecture company in his hometown during high school. Leck became Shafer’s biggest role model and gave him inspiration to someday own a landscape company as successful as his.
After graduating, Shafer plans on working under Leck’s firm for two years in order to get his license. He would then like to go on to open his own landscape architecture firm and focus primarily on designing golf courses.
“I’m excited to see what my future holds at Texas Tech,” Shafer said. “I am excited for my future career.”