Page 47 - Considering College

Borden County School District in Gail, Texas, on the edge of the Caprock Escarpment, is cut in
two by the Colorado River. Borden County is the fourth-least populous county in Texas. Its 648

people are spread over 906.1 square miles creating a population density of 1.398 people per square
mile. It’s sparse. If you don’t believe me, get in the car and go. You’ll find ground so beautiful it

will take your breath away. And the people? About the same.

The county is named after Gail Borden, Jr. Mr. Borden accumulated 1.5 years of formal schooling
in New London, Indiana, traveled a torturous trail twisting over half the nation from New York to
Texas and survived repeated business failures – and a bushel basket full of hard knocks. Through

it all, he demonstrated tenacity and reverence for life that thrives in Borden County, crystallized
in its capital and solitary city, Gail. It is his legacy.

Borden lost some of his family to yellow fever in the 1840s, creating a lifelong interest in hygiene.

Experience prodded him to find ways to more safely store milk. He patented condensed milk. The
Borden Company (Elsie the cow) was named to honor him in 1899. His accomplishments include

creating a number of other important food inventions, the establishment of churches, helping
found Baylor University, Galveston, and, indeed, Texas.

The county is named after Gail Borden, Jr. Mr. Borden accumulated 1.5
years of formal schooling in New London, Indiana, traveled a torturous

trail twisting over half the nation from New York to Texas and survived

repeated business failures – and a bushel basket full of hard knocks.
Through it all, he demonstrated tenacity and reverence for life that

thrives in Borden County, crystallized in its capital and solitary city, Gail.

It is his legacy.

Zach McMeans, a recent graduate of West Texas A&M University, is now a colleague in the Paul

Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences while working on a master’s degree. Borden
County DNA is in his bloodline, along with a solid education from Borden County ISD. Its
excellent people and facilities provide an auditorium that could seat nearly the whole county. His

grandfather Mickey McMeans was the principal of Borden County High School for 44 years. His
father, Bart McMeans held the same position for 16 years. Zach is a fourth-generation college

graduate—rare at a public university. Zach is possibly the only fourth-generation college student
currently enrolled at WT.

WT unapologetically values the legacy of place. Geographic legacy affects communities, families,

and individuals, creating lively woven lattices of legacy.