- Education
- Community
- Business
- Alumni
- Athletics
- One West
The West Texan: Building a Lasting Legacy
Piehl, Scheffer and Bain families set example of faithful support
For nearly three decades — and still going strong — the Piehl, Schaeffer and Bain families have been building a lasting legacy for WT students.
In the early years, the families’ generous gifts of time and resources included hosting fundraising events and donating dozens of couches for student lounge areas. Since then, their generosity and commitment to giving back to their alma mater has grown to include the Bain Athletic Center, the Helen Piehl Professor of Education, and Schaeffer Park, to name just a few major projects.
This article originally appeared in the Fall '21 issue of The West Texan. Click the image to read the entire issue.
Collectively, Barbara Bain, Helen Piehl and Stanley Schaeffer said that “The University gave us so much, including the tools in life to be successful. We want to give back to WT and do what we can to make the University a better place for future generations. We also want to encourage others, through our examples, to step up and give back.”
That encouragement has motivated the next generation of their own families, as Puff Piehl Niegros, David Schaeffer, Mike Bain and their siblings follow in their parents’ footsteps.
“As WT graduates, we are the nurses, teachers, engineers and other great employees and entrepreneurs throughout the region,” David and Mike agreed. “It’s fun to follow in our parents’ footsteps and give back to benefit current and future students. It’s for the economic wellbeing of the Texas Panhandle.”
“Our parents’ passion is contagious,” Puff said. “They inspired and mentored us to help make WT a place of opportunity. With the One West campaign’s focus on people, programs and places, if you have a passion there’s an opportunity to make an impact.”
As American entrepreneur Jim Rohn said, “All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine.” WT students, staff and faculty extend heartfelt appreciation to the continued generosity of the Bain, Piehl and Schaeffer families.
Photo: Puff Niegos, Mike Bain and David Schaeffer gathered recently to discuss their families' respective legacies of giving to West Texas A&M University.