| College of Education and Social Sciences Endowed Chairs and Professorships Endowed Chairs and Professorships in the college strengthen the University’s foundation of academic excellence through expanding opportunities for exceptional faculty members by providing additional resources for teaching, meaningful scholarship, and professional development. Endowed Chairs and Professorships provide the University a valuable tool in recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty members. Funds generated from the endowment allow the University to reward scholarly excellence and encourage research while enhancing program growth and development. For information concerning the establishment of an endowed Chair or Professorship, please contact Dr. Eddie Henderson ehenderson@wtamu.edu, 806-651-2603. The Dr. John G. O’Brien Distinguished Chair in Education The Dr. John G. O’Brien Distinguished Chair in Education was established in 2008 by members of the Dr. John G. O’Brien family, the Amarillo Area Foundation, and the Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation to honor Dr. John G. O’Brien who instilled in his family a profound dedication to strengthening public school education in the Texas Panhandle and beyond. Dr. O’Brien is a leader in the oil and gas and ranching industries, and his meaningful philanthropic efforts have been recognized by numerous entities including receiving the Pinnacle Award from West Texas A&M in 2009. The Dr. John G. O’Brien Distinguished Chair in Education established a collaborative enterprise between West Texas A&M University and the Amarillo Independent School District for the purpose of creating and implementing a state-of-the-art, nationally recognized, Professional Development School model for teacher preparation – a model designed to ensure that WTAMU students are well prepared to successfully teach in twenty-first century classrooms that are ethnically and culturally diverse. This model is designed around the core principles and practices of Professional Learning Communities which emphasize: Ensuring That Students Learn; A Culture of Collaboration; and A Focus on Results. These efforts began in the fall 2009 semester and are achieving meaningful results. Dr. Nancy Champion Cartwright, Dr. John G. O’Brien Distinguished Chair in Education In September 2009, Dr. Nancy Champion Cartwright was appointed as the Dr. John G. O’Brien Distinguished Chair in Education. Dr. Cartwright is professionally grounded in both K-12 teaching and administration as well as university level teaching and research. The driving force behind Dr. Cartwright’s over 40 years of post-baccalaureate professional service has been a passion for learning. After receiving her B.A. in French with a minor in English from Ouachita (wash-it-aw) Baptist University in Arkansas, she worked in the private sector for 12 years. She received her Masters in Education degree from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, and her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University. As a result of her passion for learning and connections, the Chief State School Officers of the United States selected her as the 1998 National Christa McAuliffe Fellow in Education. During the sabbatical year associated with that honor, she became an integral part of national education standards reform and continued to serve on the research and writing teams for Washington State. Her experience and expertise in organizational leadership and the Professional Learning Community research and delivery model serve as the basis for Dr. Cartwright’s work. The Teel Bivins Professor of Political Science, The Teel Bivins Professor of American Politics The Teel Bivins Professor of Political Science and the Teel Bivins Professor of American Politics were established in 2008 with gifts from the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Ambassador Teel Bivins and the Mary E. Bivins Foundation in recognition of the significant contributions of Ambassador Bivins to Texas and to the nation in the arena of public service. Senator Bivins was a well-known and effective leader in the Texas Panhandle, in the state Senate, and internationally. Senator Bivins was elected to the Texas Senate in 1989 and appointed United States Ambassador to Sweden in 2004. Senator Bivins chaired the Texas Senate Finance Committee, Education Committee, Nominations Committee, and Subcommittee on Agriculture. The establishment of the Teel Bivins Professor of Political Science and the Teel Bivins Professor of American Politics enables the University to identify and retain outstanding political science faculty members; to pay tribute to the Bivins family for their pioneering work in the region; to pay tribute to Ambassador Bivins for his visionary leadership; to initiate meaningful scholarly research important to the area; and to educate, prepare and inspire future leaders. Appointments to the Teel Bivins Professorships are granted for a three-year period and recognize excellence in teaching, scholarship and professional service.
Teel Bivins Professor of Political Science. Dr. Dave Rausch, Teel Bivins Professor of Political Science In September 2009, Dr. Dave Rausch was appointed the Teel Bivins Professor of Political Science. Dr. Rausch joined WTAMU in 1998 and is an associate professor of political science. A native of Pennsylvania, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1989 and a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1992. He received a Ph.D. degree from the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center and the University of Oklahoma in 1995. He also holds certificates from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Dallas. Dr. Rausch is co-author or co-editor of five books and has published a number of scholarly works on topics in political science. He regularly appears on Amarillo media outlets, and occasionally on national media outlets, to discuss political events and issues. Dr. Rausch teaches courses in American government, Texas government, religion and politics, and the United States Congress. His current research evaluates the effects of state legislative term limits, the changes caused by implementation of cumulative voting on local legislative bodies, and campaigns and elections at the local, state, and national levels. In June 2009, Dr. Rausch participated in the Fulbright Commission’s German Studies Seminar examining the German political party system. In 2011, he will present a scholarly paper at a meeting of the French Political Science Association. Teel Bivins Professor of America Politics Dr. James Calvi, Teel Bivins Professor of American Politics In January 2011, Dr. James Calvi was appointed the Teel Bivins Professor of America Politics. Dr. Calvi joined WTAMU in 1982 and is a professor of political science and the associate dean of the College of Education and Social Sciences. Dr. Calvi earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in political science from Oklahoma State University in 1971 and 1974, respectively. He earned his Ph.D degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1977. Dr. Calvi served as the head of the Department of History and Political Science at West Texas A&M from 1994 through 2001. He was appointed the associate dean of the College of Education and Social Sciences in 2009. Dr. Calvi is author or coauthor of three textbooks and has published a number of scholarly works on topics in political science. Dr. Calvi teaches courses in constitutional and administrative law, and he has received numerous awards for teaching excellence and research. Dr. Calvi was instrumental in establishing the legal studies program at West Texas A&M and has served as Chair of the National Council of Prelaw Advisors and President of the Southwest Association of Prelaw Advisors. His current research interests include an exploration of the faces of modern political conservatism. The Honorable Debra A. McCartt Distinguished Professor of Public Service In May 2011, the Honorable Debra McCartt Distinguished Professor of Public Service was established honoring Debra A. McCartt for her leadership and commitment to excellence in public service and public administration. Debra McCartt served the city of Amarillo as a city commissioner (2001-2005) and as mayor (2005-2011). The Distinguished professorship provides opportunities for exceptional faculty members in the areas of Criminal Justice, Emergency Management Administration, and Public Administration by providing additional resources for teaching, meaningful scholarship, and professional development. Additionally the Distinguished Professorship will elevate the values of the public service profession and inspire future leaders. Appointments to the Honorable Debra McCartt Distinguished Professor of Public Service are granted for a three-year period and recognize excellence in teaching, scholarship and professional service. The Distinguished Professorship will directly benefit the public through the creation of The Honorable Debra McCartt Conference in Public Service. The annual Conference will bring together students, faculty, public service professionals and policymakers to explore issues facing communities. The Conference will provide networking and professional development opportunities to those committed to public service values including the development of the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve innovative solutions to the emerging challenges of public sector service and administration. The Helen Piehl Professor of Education The Helen Piehl Professor of Education was established in 2008 by Helen Piehl, a distinguished alumnus of West Texas A&M University, who through her generosity and dedication to students and learning has enhanced the quality of education throughout the Texas Panhandle and beyond. Through her outstanding example of philanthropy, commitment and leadership, including many years of dedicated service to the WTAMU Foundation Board of Directors and service as its President, Helen Piehl has influenced university students and her peers to give generously of their time and talents and to strive for excellence. In addition to serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Western Sales, Inc., Ms. Piehl dedicates her efforts to many charitable organizations including service as Secretary to the Texas State 4H Youth Development Foundation. She was the recipient of the WTAMU Old Main Society Pinnacle Award in 2011. Ms. Piehl established the Professorship in lasting tribute to her mother, Eula Hayes – a 1918 graduate of West Texas Normal College – and to the many members of her family who dedicated their professional lives to public school education. Appointments to the Helen Piehl Professor of Education are granted for a three-year period and recognize excellence in teaching, scholarship and professional service. Dr. Yvette Castillo, Helen Piehl Professor of Education Dr. Yvette Castillo was appointed the Helen Piehl Professor of Education in September 2009. Dr. Castillo is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision and currently serves as Program Chair for the WTAMU Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and the Master of Education in School Counseling programs. Dr. Castillo earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in psychology in 1997 and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology in 1999 from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She obtained a Master of Science degree in Counseling in 2001 and a PhD in Educational Psychology in 2008. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Dr. Castillo is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor–Supervisor. Dr. Castillo’s research and teaching interests are multifaceted but focus on multicultural counseling, social justice, counselor education and supervision, post-traumatic stress disorder, and women’s issues related to depression and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Dr. Castillo is the author of several professional publications. In addition, Dr. Castillo is regular presenter at International, National, State, Regional, and local professional conferences with over 40 presentations to date. Dr. Castillo is a faculty advisor to three campus organizations: Kappa Delta Chi, a National honor society for Latina leaders, Kappa Delta Pi, the International honor society in Education, and Chi Sigma Iota, the International honor society in Counseling. She has been named Counselor of the Year by the High Plains Counseling Association in 2008 and again in 2009. The Geneva Schaeffer Professor of Education and Social Sciences The Geneva Schaeffer Professor of Education and Social Sciences was established by Geneva Schaeffer in 2010. Mrs. Schaeffer, a distinguished alumnus of West Texas A&M University, continues to demonstrate an unfailing dedication to students and learning. Her generosity and enthusiasm have enhanced the quality of education and student life at WTAMU. Her leadership continues to influence university alumni and her peers to give generously of their time and talents. Mrs. Schaeffer demonstrated her commitment to the University community through her dedicated service to the WTAMU Foundation Board of Directors from 1994–2002 serving as its president. Her leadership and philanthropy, which have focused on education, leadership training, and youth programs, have been recognized by numerous entities including her receiving the WTAMU Old Main Society Pinnacle Award in 2005 and being named the 2006 Outstanding Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2010, Mrs. Schaeffer was inducted as a Platinum Member of the Old Main Society. Appointments to the Geneva Schaeffer Professor of Education and Social Sciences are granted for a three-year period and recognize excellence in teaching, scholarship and professional service. | 
