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Film Series:<\/strong>\u202fA Long Hard Streak \u2013 October 1 at 5 PM at Bell Hall 282, Tennessee Tech, and October 2 at 6 PM at Cookeville Performing Arts Center <\/p>\n\n\n\n Join us for a special screening of the documentary\u202f“<\/em>A Long Hard Streak,“<\/em><\/a> in partnership with WCTE, which explores the life and legacy of Billy Dean Anderson, a fugitive from Fentress County <\/span>who became one of the FBI\u2019s most wanted criminals. The film showcases Anderson\u2019s artwork, offering a rare glimpse into the creative mind behind the folk antihero. Anderson\u2019s story reflects the culture and history of Appalachia in the 20th century. A Q&A with filmmaker Scott Rabideau, WCTE\u2019s Avery Hutchins, and historians Dr. Troy Smith will follow the October 2nd event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inaugural Watergate Roach Run<\/strong> \u2013 October 28 at 4 PM at Tucker Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n In 1986, Tennessee Tech made national headlines when its cockroach athlete, Watergate<\/a>,\u202fwon the Great American Bug Race in Florida. Found just minutes before the deadline by Oracle <\/em>staff in Miller Hall, Watergate was shipped in a film canister over 800 miles to Palm Beach Atlantic College. Against all odds, Watergate won the race in just two seconds, beating competitors from across the U.S. and Canada. Tragically, he was eaten by a lizard shortly after, but his legacy had only just begun. <\/p>\n\n\n The campus responded with a memorial service attended by over 1,000 students dressed in black. President Wallace Prescott declared\u202fOctober 28 as Watergate Day, and the Alumni Association awarded Watergate the esteemed \u201cExtinguished Alumni Award.\u201d The event became a symbol of Tech\u2019s resilience, creativity, and humor during a rough sports season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This year\u2019s\u202fWatergate Roach Run\u202frevives that legacy with a race event where departments compete for the title of fastest cockroach. It\u2019s designed to reignite a historical tradition, provide laughs, and foster\u202fcamaraderie among students and departments, tying the past to the present in a unique Tennessee Tech way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For race details, follow this link<\/a>: https:\/\/sites.tntech.edu\/archives\/2025\/08\/22\/watergate-roach-race-rules-and-regulation\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n For Tennessee Tech departments, student clubs, and organizations, register your cockroach athlete by following this link<\/a>: https:\/\/tntech.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_0VyWE5xR7MMMtT0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Archives, Creatively Speaking \u2013<\/strong> March 2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n This event celebrates the\u202fpower of art and storytelling. Students will create original works, paintings, poetry, and narratives based on themes selected by the Archives and utilizing the Archives\u2019 unique resources. It\u2019s a showcase of student creativity utilizing historical resources in new and inventive ways. More information about this event will be available soon!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tennessee Tech Archives is proud to present an event lineup for the 2025\u20132026 academic year, each one celebrating local history, storytelling, and the arts. We invite you to join our free community and Tech events, and to even become a … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.tntech.edu\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/73\/2025\/08\/lizard-768x332-1.jpg\")
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packed in a mailer addressed to West Palm Beach, Florida.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n