West Texas A&M University: A History of Vision, Truth, and Valor
West Texas A&M University (WTAMU or WT) stands as a public institution in Canyon, Texas, representing the northernmost campus within the Texas A&M University System. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), WTAMU carries the motto "Visio Veritas Valor," which translates to "Vision. Truth."
From Normal College to University: The Early Years
The journey of WTAMU began with its establishment as West Texas State Normal College in 1910. During its inaugural year, the college welcomed 152 all-white students and 16 faculty members, under the leadership of its first president, Robert B. Cousins. Following the Texas State House of Representatives' approval of the bill to establish West Texas State Normal College, construction commenced on the Administration Building, which initially housed all of the institution's classrooms, laboratory, library, and offices.
However, disaster struck on March 25, 1914, when the school burned down. Despite this setback, classes continued in alternative locations such as local churches, courthouses, and vacant buildings. A new Administration Building was opened in 1916, marking a new chapter for the college.
A notable figure in the college's early history was Georgia O'Keeffe, the renowned American artist, who served as the head of the Art Department from the fall of 1916 to February 1918. The college granted its first four-year college degrees in 1919, signaling its growth and development as an institution of higher learning.
Evolving Identity and Academic Recognition
The college continued to gain recognition, earning admission to the American Association of Teachers Colleges in 1922, the Association of Texas Colleges in 1923, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1925. Reflecting its expanding role, the school changed its name to West Texas State Teachers College in 1923.
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The 1940s saw significant changes at the institution. Many returning veterans from World War II enrolled, supported by the G.I. Bill of Rights assistance. In 1949, the school underwent another name change, becoming West Texas State College.
Cold War Era and Integration
During the Cold War, West Texas State College, like many other American institutions, focused on anticommunism. However, this period also saw the beginning of integration. While the school initially admitted only white students, Helen Neal became the first black student to graduate in 1962.
Transformation into a University
The 1960s marked a period of significant transformation as the school transitioned from a regional teacher's college to a state university. In 1963, Governor John B. Connally signed a bill that changed the school's name to West Texas State University. This transition was accompanied by the establishment of a College of Arts and Sciences, a graduate school, and professional schools of business. By 1970, student enrollment neared 8,000, before decreasing due to changes in the Selective Service System and increases in tuition.
Joining the Texas A&M University System
The university joined the Texas A&M University System on September 1, 1990, and began using the name West Texas A&M University in 1993. The letters "A&M" stand for "Agricultural and Mechanical," a reference to the Morrill Land-Grant Acts. Barry B. Thompson became the school's first president under the new system.
T. Boone Pickens' Involvement
West Texas A&M University had a long-term connection with T. Boone Pickens, who was appointed to its board of regents in 1969. Pickens resigned from the board in protest on March 21, 1973, but was reappointed in 1981 and became its chair in 1982, a position he held until the merger with the Texas A&M system in 1990. In 1987, he pledged a $1.5 million matching gift to endow its business school, which was named in his honor.
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In 2004, the university planned to remove Pickens' name from the T. Boone Pickens College of Business due to a misunderstanding regarding the fulfillment of his pledges. Although Pickens had satisfied his pledge, he requested that his name be removed. The then-President Russell C. Long acknowledged the error and agreed to the request. Subsequently, Pickens donated $165 million to Oklahoma State University-Stillwater. However, he later endowed the Pickens Professorship of Business in 2007 and the Pickens Professorship of Management in 2010 at WTAMU.
Recent Developments and Campus Enhancements
In late 2005, Russell C. Long retired as president and J. Patrick O'Brien assumed the role. During President O'Brien's tenure, WTAMU experienced a surge of construction projects, including the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex, the Hayward Spirit Tower, and the Charles K. and Barbara Kerr Vaughan Industrial Technology Building. In January 2009, the university launched its first comprehensive campaign to raise $35 million for scholarships, faculty/program support, and capital projects.
The university briefly attracted national attention in 2023 when the university's president cancelled a student group's drag show on campus.
Rankings and Recognition
West Texas A&M University has received recognition in various rankings. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks WTAMU among the best regional universities in the West. WTAMU was also ranked as #1 in Texas for Best Online Master's in Business Programs.
Academic and Research Facilities
Along with the Advanced Wind Turbine Test Facility, West Texas A&M University utilizes the Killgore Research Center, which houses the Attebury Honors Program, Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, and the University Writing Center.
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Several buildings contribute to the academic environment at WTAMU. The Classroom Center, built in 1968, houses classrooms, computer and writing labs, and faculty offices for the College of Business and the Department of English and Modern Languages. The Agriculture and Sciences Building, constructed in 1974, houses the Division of Agriculture and the Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, featuring classrooms, laboratories, and faculty offices. The Agricultural Sciences Complex, opened in the summer of 2018, includes classrooms, labs, offices, a meats lab, an agriculture event center, and a pavilion for animal showing, handling, and evaluation. The Engineering and Computer Sciences Building was renovated in 2011 and again in 2017. The WTAMU Amarillo Center is located on the 10th and 11th floors of the Chase building in Amarillo, Texas, with a permanent campus under construction.
Student Demographics and Athletics
West Texas A&M University has a diverse student body, with almost 56% being female and 40% being made up by minorities.
West Texas A&M athletic teams are known as the Buffaloes (or simply "Buffs"), while the women's teams are called the "Lady Buffs." The Lady Buffs softball team won the 2014 NCAA Division II national championship in Salem, Virginia.
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