At the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), amidst the hustle and bustle of students rushing to their classes, there’s one feline figure who has captured the hearts of the entire campus. This cat, affectionately known as Microwave, enjoys basking in the sun’s warmth in front of the Chemistry and Physics Building, greeting the early spring air with his eyes closed and ears alert to the sounds around him.
Microwave’s story begins as a stray, his origins still a mystery. His first known photograph dates back to 2014, and since then, the gray and white short-haired cat has become a beloved figure on campus. Posts about him on UTA’s Reddit page frequently receive hundreds of likes and dozens of comments, with many students sharing their fondness for the cat.
“He’s very iconic,” said McKayla Mellen, president of the Campus Cat Coalition. “So many people know about him more than they know the other cats or even about us.”
Microwave’s fame has helped the Campus Cat Coalition, the organization dedicated to the care and well-being of campus cats, to grow its influence. The club has used this platform to raise awareness about responsible pet care and raise funds to support UTA’s feline population. Stickers featuring Microwave’s likeness have become a popular item, helping fund veterinary care for campus cats.
When Microwave suffered a wound on his back a few semesters ago, the UTA community rallied to fund his medical bills. Once healed, the extra donations were used to help other cats in need, as Mellen explained.
According to Caroline Carter, an alumna and founding member of the Campus Cat Coalition, Microwave has been part of the UTA community for years. Carter, who met Microwave while she was an undergraduate, remembers walking with him to her classes in all kinds of weather, even using an umbrella to shield him from the rain.
“I’d walk with him to and from my building or to the UC, and I’d grab his breakfast,” she said, recalling their routine.
Initially known as Buddy, Microwave’s official name was later changed when the Campus Cat Coalition began giving the campus strays official names. The cats were named after household appliances, and Microwave’s name stuck. He has since become a campus icon, even earning the title of “Dr. Wave” due to his proximity to the Chemistry and Physics Building.
Microwave is known for his friendly demeanor and his willingness to approach students and staff, which has only added to his celebrity status. “It’s like seeing a celebrity,” said Mellen, referring to the way people stop to take photos with the famous feline.
Despite his fame, the Campus Cat Coalition ensures that Microwave’s health and well-being are carefully managed. He lives in a small, beige plastic house with a blue slanted roof, and a sign nearby politely requests that passersby refrain from feeding him. The club oversees his diet, as some well-meaning individuals have tried to feed him inappropriate foods, such as corn casserole and Panda Express chicken.
Microwave is fed once a day, with his meals carefully timed between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. He’s part of the Campus Cat Coalition’s feeding and PR teams, with students like aerospace engineering freshman Miranda Lee helping ensure his care. Lee even jokingly asked Microwave for good luck before a chemistry lab last semester. “It depends on how much you studied, if his luck will work for you or not,” she said with a laugh.
In his daily life, Microwave enjoys lounging in the sun, often stretching out in front of his house as students pass by. His calm and approachable nature make him a fixture of campus life, with students regularly pausing to take photos or offer a scratch behind the ears.
For many at UTA, Microwave is more than just a stray cat. He’s a symbol of the campus spirit, a friendly face that brightens the day of anyone who crosses his path.
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