Rexy Today

We might know who Rexy is, and we might know how she came to be...but how exactly does Rexy fit into the context of today's culture at the University of Wyoming? Well, first, it might be helpful to know that Rexy is not alone. The University of Wyoming has many, many monuments, and it

even has several statues. The statue of Benjamin Franklin, originally

intended to honor the late founding father on his birthday, has been

subject to the whims of students for years. From attaching googly

eye's to Franklin's face, to adding a mask during COVID--19,

it's clear that Rexy is a part of a community that has set a precedent

for making both history and education their own.

 

As for the tradition of throwing pinecones into Rexy's mouth for good

luck, it's likely here to stay. Writer Svetlana Boym cites a theory from

Eric Hobsbawn that newer traditions, which Rexy and her pinecones

could easily qualify for, are more likely to be rigidly and emphatically enforced. Silly as it might

seem, students of the University of  Wyoming continue to hold fast to the joy that a giant copper dinosaur (and a few pinecones) provide. 

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About sixty years ago, a retired professor began crafting a life-sized dinosaur as a monument to his passion for education. Many students eagerly tracked its construction, often through Dr. Knight's Science Camp newsletters. The interest in Rexy before she was even put on university grounds is evidence of the community that Dr. Knight spent years building through his various projects. Today, Rexy is a staple of the University of Wyoming's campus. It's no surprise, given that her maker was so loved.