West Texas A&M NewsWire

O'Brien Distinguished Chair in Education Announced

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dec. 2, 2008

CONTACT: Dr. Eddie Henderson, 806-651-2603, ehenderson@wtamu.edu

WTAMU and AAF Announce O'Brien Distinguished Chair in Education

CANYON, Texas—The John G. O’Brien Distinguished Chair in Education has been established through a $1 million gift at the Amarillo Area Foundation for the benefit of the West Texas A&M University Department of Education and the Amarillo Independent School District (AISD).

The gift will be matched with a $250,000 grant from the Don and Sybil B. Harrington Foundation.

The John G. O’Brien Distinguished Chair will help create a nationally recognized Professional Development School to implement teacher preparation for today’s rigorous requirements of secondary education in the Texas Panhandle.

The chair will create a partnership between WTAMU and AISD. The program will place prospective teachers in AISD classrooms while enrolled in education classes at WTAMU. The twofold objective will be improved secondary education and retention of top students remaining in the Texas Panhandle.

“Current data indicates approximately 70 percent of the public school classroom teachers who work in our region are educated at West Texas A&M University,” Jim Allison, president and CEO of the Amarillo Area Foundation, said. “We believe the partnership between AISD and WTAMU’s DepartmentWTAM of Education will lead to the development of a very dynamic teaching and learning community throughout the Panhandle.”

Recruitment is under way for an outstanding faculty member who has both a background in the professional learning community and a commitment to using this knowledge base to foster improved communications between the University and the public classroom. With the faculty member’s leadership, an educational model will be developed which will include a joint appointment with WTAMU and AISD with funding provided through the $1.25 million endowment administered by the Amarillo Area Foundation and additional costs provided by WTAMU.

O’Brien, 91, has been a long-time supporter of education in the Texas Panhandle. He has sponsored scholarships at Amarillo College and Texas A&M University. He also has served on the Amarillo College Foundation Board and his family has established the O’Brien Education Foundation.

—WTAMU—

Broadcasting Students Take 11th Consecutive Regional Title

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dec. 2, 2008

CONTACT: Dr. Leigh Browning, 806-651-2412, lbrowning@wtamu.edu

COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@wtamu.edu

Broadcasting Students Take 11th Consecutive Regional Title

CANYON, Texas—West Texas A&M University proved its dominance again by taking the regional crown for the 11th consecutive year at the National Broadcasting Society (NBS) Region IV Convention Nov. 22 on the WTAMU campus. The University’s broadcasting program hosted this year’s event and won more than 40 regional awards along with the right to advance to national NBS competition in spring 2009.

“WTAMU broadcasters represented the University with much grace as their talents won them yet another regional production title,” Dr. Leigh Browning, associate professor of mass communication and director of broadcasting, said. “They continue to prove year after year just how talented they are.”

WTAMU is part of Region IV which includes colleges and universities from Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. The annual Region IV NBS competition represents work on student-produced audio, video, script and web design projects. In all, the WTAMU students earned 18 first-place awards, 14 second-place awards and 9 third-place awards along with 3 honorable mentions.

Student winners are listed by hometown, classification and major.
Abernathy
Jordan Bullard, WTAMU graduate—second in news package for “Ag. Comm. Degree”
Amarillo
Katie Eddins, WTAMU graduate—second in news package for “Ag. Comm. Degree”
Stephanie Fowler, junior broadcasting major—second in promo for “Run for Life”
Lisa R. Islas, senior broadcasting major—honorable mention in news segment for “Bringing Home the Herd, WTAMU Homecoming 2008”
Chris Jenkins, sophomore broadcasting major—second in drama script for “Flashes Before Your Eyes”
Kaleb Leija, WTAMU graduate—second in news program for “News One Show 6”
Kevin Paris, sophomore broadcasting major—first in music video for “Chiodos: The Words ‘Best Friend’”
Shannon Peters, senior broadcasting major—first in feature package for “Tower Ground Breaking” and first in news program for “News One Show 4”
Trey Roach, WTAMU graduate—first in studio or live performance segment for “PASO Turnaround” and third in instructional/industrial/promotional production for “Facility Tour Videos Control Room”
Paul Timmens, senior broadcasting major—first in sports segment for “WT Sports 4/16/08”
Tamikka Williams, junior broadcasting major—tie for second in station imaging for “Nooner Sweeper”
Azle
David Meraz, sophomore broadcasting major—tie for third in PSA for “I Am an American”
Booker
Amber Merydith, senior broadcasting major—third in news package for “Ryan Mahoney”
Borger
Marcus Briscoe, junior broadcasting major—first in promo for “Turn it Down” and third in open category for “WTAMU vs. SWOSU”
Canton
Logan Moore, freshman broadcasting major—third in news package for “Ryan Mahoney”
Canyon
Dustin Bryan, sophomore broadcasting major—tie for third in PSA for “Going Green”
Niki Bryan, junior broadcasting major—first in drama program for “Every 15 Minutes” and first in promo for “The One 91.1 Spot”
Drew Hicks, senior broadcasting major—first in open category for “Power Video Graphics”
Patrick Nunley, senior broadcasting major—third in news program for “News One Show 9”
Jonas Rios, senior broadcasting major—first in feature segment for “News One Entertainment” and tie for second in station imaging for “Nooner Sweeper”
Georgia Roming, senior broadcasting major—second in overall website for “Windenergy.org”
Corpus Christi
Tyler Sweeney, freshman broadcasting major—tie for second in station imaging for “Nooner Sweeper”
Dalhart
Tyson Taylor, senior broadcasting major—second in promo for “Molotov Matinee is a Superhero”
Dimmitt
Monica Dozal, sophomore broadcasting major—first in drama program for “Creepy Science Theatre” and tie for third in PSA for “I Am an American”
El Dorado Hills, Calif.
Justin Ellerman, freshman broadcasting major—third in promo for “Loveline with Andy and J-Stu”
Fort Stockton
Carlos Mireles, sophomore broadcasting major—tie for second in station imaging for “KWTS Sweeper—Cornellius”
Luisa Mireles, freshman broadcasting major—tie for second in station imaging for “KWTS Sweeper—Cornellius”
Grapeland
Jessica Wyers, sophomore broadcasting major—second in promo for “Run for Life” and second in drama program for “Shipwrecked with the Beatles”
Gruver
Victoria Vela, sophomore broadcasting major—honorable mention in feature package for “The Man Behind the Wheel”
Guadalajara, Mexico
Sulema Salazar, senior broadcasting major—first in news package for “Violinist”
Hereford
Ricky Mariscal, sophomore broadcasting major—tie for third in PSA for “I Am an American”
Keller
Andrew Eubanks, freshman broadcasting major—third in promo for “Loveline with Andy and J-Stu”
Lubbock
Jonathan O’Niell, sophomore broadcasting major—second in drama program for “Shipwrecked with the Beatles”
Tyler Regan, sophomore broadcasting major—third in news package for “Ryan Mahoney”
Jennifer Yepez, senior broadcasting major—first in feature package for “Tower Ground Breaking” and third in instructional/industrial/promotional production for “Facility Tour Videos Control Room”
McKinney
Matt Hamilton, junior broadcasting major—third in news package for “Ryan Mahoney”
Omaha, Neb.
Erin Hartigan, senior broadcasting major—first in news segment for “Feature on Rob Lee,” second in news segment for “Art of the Slow Pitch,” third in news package for “Ryan Mahoney” and third in news segment for “News One Show 10 Sports Anchor”
Pampa
Evan Grice, sophomore broadcasting major—tie for second in station imagining for “Nooner Sweeper”
Jake Russell, junior broadcasting major—first in music video for “Chiodos: The Words ‘Best Friend’”
Halei Skinner, sophomore broadcasting major—tie for third in PSA for “Going Green”
Johnny Story, senior broadcasting major—first in overall website for “KWTS Website,” first in movie trailer for “Leap of Faith—Opener,” first in open category for “Power Video Graphics,” first in PSA for “What Freedom Means to Me,” second in movie trailer for “Leap of Faith,” second in open category for “WTAMU Freshman Convocation 2008 Edit” and third in studio or live        performance segment for “Hayward Spirit Tower Dedication”
Plainview
Meredith Keller, senior broadcasting major—first in feature package for “Tower Ground Breaking”
Raton, N.M.
Tammy Luksich, junior broadcasting major—first in drama program for “Creepy Science Theatre,” first in station imaging for “107.9 Legal ID” and second in news package for “Ag. Comm. Degree”
Seminole
Skylar Hinds, junior broadcasting major—second in PSA for “Sifa Choir”
Spearman
Jarick Howard, junior broadcasting major—first in promo for “The One 91.1 Spot” and first in station imaging for “107.9 Legal ID”
Stratford
Heather Seiler, senior broadcasting major—third in news package for “Ryan Mahoney”
Sunray
Andrew Brown, senior broadcasting major—first in music video for “Chiodos: The Words ‘Best Friend,’” first in promo for “The One 91.1 Spot,” first in PSA for “What Freedom Means to Me” and first in drama program for “Creepy Science Theatre”
Dani Morton, freshman broadcasting major—second in promo for “Run for Life”
Vernon
Jacqueline Kingston, junior broadcasting major—first in PSA for “ What Freedom of Speech Means to Me” and honorable mention in comedy scripts for “Apt. 1018”

The 2008 National Broadcasting Society (NBS) Convention is in March in New York City.

—WTAMU—

Seliger to Speak at WTAMU Commencement

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dec. 2, 2008

CONTACT: Barbara Petty, 806-651-2045, bpetty@wtamu.edu

COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@wtamu.edu

Seliger to Speak at WTAMU Commencement

CANYON, Texas—Texas Senator Kel Seliger will serve as guest speaker at West Texas A&M University’s fall commencement exercises Saturday, Dec. 13 at the First United Bank Center.

The senator will actually speak at two commencements that day. Diplomas will be handed out at 10 a.m. for students in the College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering, the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and a second commencement begins at 3 p.m. for students in the College of Business and the College of Education and Social Sciences. A total of 589 students have applied for fall graduation.

Seliger, who served four terms as mayor of Amarillo, was sworn into the Texas Senate in March 2004 after a special election to represent District 31. The district covers the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle and includes Amarillo, Midland, Odessa and Big Spring. He was reelected to the senate position in 2004 and currently serves as vice chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. He also is a member of the Natural Resources, International Relations and Trade and Administration Committees and has been appointed to the Energy Council.

During his first term as senator, Seliger has been instrumental in the passage of numerous bills. He has been recognized for his work and honored with several awards including the Texas Municipal League Distinguished Legislative Service Award and the Rural Legislator of the Year Award.

Seliger grew up in Borger and graduated from Dartmouth College. He is co-owner and executive vice president of Lake Steel, Inc. He and his family live in Amarillo.

Other graduation activities include a graduation reception and ring ceremony from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 in the Grand Lobby of the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex.

West Texas A&M University conducts three commencement ceremonies each year in December, May and August.

—WTAMU—

Students Say Yes to Sports Complex, No to JBK Expansion

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Nov. 20, 2008

CONTACT: Dr. Don Albrecht, 806-651-2050, dalbrecht@wtamu.edu

COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@wtamu.edu

Students Say Yes to Sports Complex, No to JBK Expansion

CANYON, Texas—Students at West Texas A&M University voted yes for a recreational sports complex and no to an expansion at the Jack B. Kelley Student Center (JBK). The University will now take the proposal to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents for approval.

“We wanted the proposals to be decided by our students, and they have spoken. The students have voted for the recreational sports complex and against the expansion at the Jack B. Kelley Student Center,” Dr. Don Albrecht, vice president for student affairs, said. “We respect their choices and appreciate them taking an active role in the decision process. The University’s efforts to improve campus facilities will always take into account student preferences, and we will continue to seek their input and opinions to ensure that the very best in educational opportunities and experiences are available at West Texas A&M.”

WTAMU students voted online or at campus kiosks Tuesday and Wednesday to decide whether the athletic fee and student center fees should be increased for the addition of a recreational sports complex on the north side of the campus and for an expansion at the JBK. In the vote for the recreational sports complex, 964 students voted yes, while 760 voted no. In the vote for the JBK expansion, 739 students voted no and 691 voted yes.

If the sports complex proposal is approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, the WTAMU athletic fee will go from $10 per semester credit hour to $15 per hour beginning in fall 2009 and to $20 per hour in 2010. The athletic fee would help pay for more than half of the estimated $40-$51M construction costs, and donations will be sought to help complete the project.

Construction of the facility will commence upon approval by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Plans for the complex include playing fields for soccer, flag football and varsity baseball andsoftball as well as tennis courts, sand volleyball, outdoor basketball courts, a track and a practice field for the WTAMU marching band.

—WTAMU—

Readership WT Nominated for Star Award

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Nov. 4, 2008

CONTACT: Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, 806-651-2931, rhart@wtamu.edu

COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@wtamu.edu

Readership WT Nominated for Star Award

CANYON, Texas—West Texas A&M University’s Readership WT program has been named a finalist for a 2008 Texas Higher Education Star Award. Finalists will be recognized and winners announced at the eighth annual Star Award ceremony and luncheon Dec. 2 in Austin.

The Texas Higher Education Star Award was established in 2001 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to recognize outstanding contributions toward the “Closing the Gaps by 2015” initiative adopted by the Coordinating Board in 2000.

“I was pleased but not surprised by Readership WT’s selection for this prestigious award,” Dr. James Hallmark, provost/vice president for academic affairs, said. “The program is immensely successful and has become a model around the state for transformative experiences for freshmen. The dedicated faculty and staff who make this program possible are well deserving of this honor.”

The “Closing the Gaps” initiative strives to close the gaps in student participation, student success, academic success and research, and the University’s Readership WT program fits well within those goals. Readership WT is the common-reader program launched in 2005 for WTAMU freshmen as part of the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, “Engaging the first-year student.” The program is under the direction of Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, associate provost of academic affairs.

Every summer copies of a selected reader are distributed to all incoming freshmen to help ease the transition to college and help develop in them a lifelong love of learning and reading that contributes to academic success. The University then hosts a Convocation each September with the author of the common reader as the keynote speaker.

Last year’s program included an essay contest, and 20 freshmen were selected for an all-expense-paid trip to Poland to follow in the footsteps of Elie Wiesel, author of the 2007 common reader, Night. This year, 13 freshmen will travel to Africa as part of an essay contest on the 2008 book, What is the What.

“The Readership WT program has proven to be a great success—not only with our freshmen but also with our faculty and staff, who enjoy reading the books and engaging with the students,” Lowery-Hart said. “The essay contest has added another dimension to the program that further enhances the student experience.”

Star Award nominees compete in six categories, and a maximum of 12 awards will be presented. Winners will receive a custom-designed award as well as public recognition for their work supporting the “Closing the Gaps” initiative.

The University’s first common reader was A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind in 2005. Po Bronson’s What Should I Do with My Life followed in 2006, and the chosen reader in 2007 was Night by Elie Wiesel. The Readership WT committee is already busy reviewing books for the 2009-2010 common reader.

—WTAMU—