WT’s Rogers LEAD Program Celebrates 10th Year; New Cohort of Students Named

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — One of West Texas A&M University’s most prestigious student leadership programs is celebrating its 10th anniversary this semester.

The Dyke and Terry Rogers Leadership Education and Development Program, or Rogers LEAD WT, was created in 2012 to challenge high-achieving students to further develop their leadership potential.

The anniversary will be marked during Homecoming celebrations on Oct. 1, including a reunion at the President’s Tailgate hosted by President Walter V. and Mary Wendler.

In 2014, area philanthropists Dyke and Terry Rogers endowed the program with a $1 million gift, part of the couple’s history of giving to WT that most recently included a $5 million gift to name the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences.

“I have been very pleased with the program and its leadership,” Dyke Rogers said. “They have established a very rigorous curriculum along with a supportive environment that brings out the best in the student scholars who have been chosen to participate. I am thrilled to get to know the students while they take part in the LEAD program and especially to follow their adventures as they move on after graduation.”

“Our country, communities and businesses are in great hands, and if you don’t believe me, get involved with college student leaders,” Terry Rogers said. “They are bright, searching and so selfless—just what the world needs. I hope LEAD will continue to equip our students to think outside of the box, bring diverse opinions together and solve issues together with respect and understanding. True community could solve a lot of our present problems.”

Up to 25 students annually are accepted as LEAD scholars following an extensive application and interview process. The program is completed in two years, with students taking leadership theory courses, working as a team on service projects, and completing internship experiences and taking part in other real-world activities including networking events and public speaking opportunities.

“The Rogers LEAD WT program challenges our students to develop their leadership potential through a focused, engaging study of leadership theory alongside meaningful internship and program activities,” said Missy Macon, program director. “The program encourages our students to live up to a set of values, including acting with integrity, committing to service, striving for excellence, working together, and planning to succeed.”

Students named to the 2022-23 cohort of Rogers LEAD WT scholars include Filiberto Avila, a junior broadcast journalism from Spearman; Rayce Birdwell, a junior nursing major from Dimmitt; Anna Bonnet, a junior agriculture media and communications major from Kenedy; Ivee Chitty, a sophomore biology major from Gruver; Abigail Coffee, a junior economics major from Dalhart; McKayla Donnell, a sophomore sports and exercise science major from Seymour; Khaki DuBose, a sophomore agriculture communications major from Abernathy; Rylee Finley, a sophomore agriculture media and communication major from Amarillo; Lizbeth Fuentes, a sophomore from Dimmitt; Payton George, a junior agricultural education major from Azle; Lillian Hernandez, a sophomore animal science/pre-vet major from San Antonio; Allison Hunter, a junior computer information systems major from Borger; and Hayden Lasley, a sophomore athletic training major from Springfield, Colorado.

The cohort also includes Yalena MacDonald, a junior biology/pre-vet major from Navarre, Florida; Emma McNabb, a sophomore animal science major from Brentwood, California; Makenzie Miller, a sophomore animal science/pre-vet from Claude; Krystal Morales, a junior health sciences/pre-med major from Amarillo; Cole Myers, a sophomore animal sciences/pre-vet major from Krum; Alexis Nevarez, a junior biology/pre-dental major from Canyon; Caroline Olson, a sophomore animal science/pre-vet major from Dripping Springs; John “Tres” Pennington, a junior animal science/pre-vet major from Paradise; Kaylee Rhodes, a sophomore health sciences/pre-med major from Guymon, Oklahoma; Maegan Story, a sophomore English major from Santa Fe, Texas; Brody Sutterfield, a junior wildlife biology major from Amarillo; Annison Thomas, a sophomore pre-nursing major from Panhandle; Lilly Thurman, a sophomore social work major from Canyon; and Bryce Wiginton, a sophomore political science major from Boys Ranch.

Offering students intellectually challenging, critically reflective and regionally responsive academic programs is part of the mission laid out in the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the five-year campaign — which publicly launched Sept. 23 — has raised more than $110 million.

Photo: Rogers LEAD WT's Class of 2024 includes, back from left, Bryce Wiginton, Kaylee Rhodes, Filiberto Avila, Lizbeth Fuentes, Yalena MacDonald, McKayla Donnell, Ivee Chitty, Allison Hunter, Maegan Story and Brody Sutterfield; middle from left, Tres Pennington, Rayce Birdwell, Anna Bonnet, Alexis Nevarez, Caroline Olson, Cole Myers, Khaki DuBose and Payton George; and, front from left, Hayden Lasley, Lilly Thurman, Annison Thomas, Rylee Finley, Lilli Hernandez, Makenzie Miller, Abigail Coffee and Krystal Morales. Not pictured: Emma McNabb.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WT—