West Texas A&M University: Giving Donor Recognition

Hayward Spirit Tower

The Hayward Spirit Tower, a skyscraping timepiece that marks the north entrance to West Texas A&M University’s Pedestrian Mall, is both the brainchild and gift of Jack and Helene Hayward, who both hold advanced degrees from WTAMU. The landmark was dedicated in August 2008 and is electronically programmed to play the Hayward’s requested Westminster Chimes on the hour and the University Fight Song at noon each day. It stands taller than Old Main and the nearby four-story Classroom Center to make it a very visible presence on the WTAMU campus.

Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex

In December 2006, West Texas A&M University named its newest building the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex after its most generous benefactor. The University had just received a $5 million gift from the Sybil B. Harrington Trust to support equipment and upgrades for the building in areas not provided for by traditional state funding. The late Mrs. Harrington was a major contributor to the University for many years before her death in 1998. No known benefactor has given more to the University since its inception in 1910. The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation and the Sybil B. Harrington Trust have combined to give gifts to the University totalling more than $13 million.

Wilder Park

Wilder Park, part of West Texas A&M University’s Buffalo Sports Park, is considered one of the best ballparks found in all of NCAA Division II. The lighted state-of-the-art facility provides year-round play for Buff baseball with its synthetic turf, and fans are assured of plenty of seating options with a crowd capacity of 490 in season ticket and general admission seats. Other amenities include ticket and concession buildings and a press box with radio/television booths. The park was named after David and Myrt Wilder of Plainview, longtime supporters of WTAMU, who donated $200,000 toward the construction of the baseball facility. They also have endowed the David and Myrt Wilder Scholarship Fund in WTAMU’s College of Business.

Hastings Electronic Learning Center

A $500,000 gift from Hastings Entertainment, Inc. in 1997 helped create the University¹s state-of-the-art electronic learning center in the basement of Cornette Library. The generous gift provided funds for the equipment, maintenance and support of the center which houses classroom space, an open-access computer lab, video classrooms, a video conference room and office space. The facility opened in September 1998 as the Hastings Electronic Learning Center and continues to provide top-notch computer labs for WTAMU students.

Stanley Shaeffer Agricultural Education Learning Laboratory

Built and christened in 2007, the Stanley Schaeffer Agriculture Learning Laboratory is tooled for ag mechanics and home to the University’s Agriculture Education Program. This pre-engineered metal building, northeast of campus, has approximately 10,000 square feet of mechanical laboratory space and plenty of equipment that students use in preparation for teaching careers in agriculture.

Classroom Naming Opportunities

The opportunity to name a classroom or lab exists in almost every building on campus. Donors have the opportunity to customize the space with upgraded furnishings, equipment as well as custom paint and flooring. A permanent maintenance endowment is created along with each named space to insure the space is always equipped with state of the art equipment and above average furnishings. Opportunities for an individual or business to make their permanent mark on campus by naming a classroom or lab are available at varying price ranges. Call 806-651-2070 for more information.

The WTAMU Foundation is proud to recognize donors in an annual newsletter and annual report. Donors are recognized in six categories of support.

Donor Recognition

Lead Donors