IT Leader Named WT Employee of the Year; Longtime Staffers Honored

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

CANYON, Texas — An IT chief lauded for his professionalism and “grace under pressure” was named West Texas A&M University Employee of the Year.

Mike Young, a six-year WT veteran and manager of the Information Technology Success Center, won a cash prize, free parking for a year and more during WT’s All-Staff Service Awards, held June 7 in Legacy Hall inside Jack B. Kelley Student Center on the Canyon campus.

Young was voted Employee of the Year by faculty and fellow staff members amid a field of 11 other employees of the month.

“WT changes the lives of students who come here, and the University changes the lives of people in the Panhandle,” Young said. “I am honored to work here, with so many great staff members who make a difference.”

WT’s ITSC and the Help Desk that Young oversees provide technical assistance for faculty, staff and students.

“As a person, Mike is friendly, professional and confident in helping those who needs his help,” wrote Berlin McIntosh, an administrative assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Physics in a nomination form. “He works well with everyone and patiently explains the issue while troubleshooting. He is not bothered (by) questions, especially from non-IT savvy (people) like me.”

Steven Knadle, president of the WT Staff Council, praised Young for his generous approach to offering help.

“Mike will take the time it needs to solve the issue you are having, and he does so with a smile on his face,” Knadle said. “I have never seen him get frustrated with others.”

Young’s fellow employees of the month for the 2022-23 academic year included Michael Crippen, Advising Services; Glendis Villasmil-Sultan, formerly of Human Resources; Dane Glenn, Department of Communication; Kat Kane, formerly of Residential Living and now director of Career and Professional Development; Jordan Unfred, formerly of Information Technology; Renee Ingersoll, Registrar’s Office; Daniel Winton, Admissions; Chris Rea, Communication and Marketing; Aaron Goodale, University Police; Cody Love, Information Technology; and Shea Eubanks, Residential Living.

Also recognized at the luncheon were all employees who have worked at WT for significant numbers of years:

• 25 years: Donna Adams-Stevens, Student Medical Services; Dr. Amy Andersen, associate provost; Bill Thurston, SSC;
• 20 years: Keith Brown, Philanthropy and External Relations; Lane Greene, Information Technology; Lora Haasl, Information Technology; Darla Jenkins, Kids Kollege; Patricia McCormick, Advising Services; Terry Nepper, University Bookstore; Carolyn Ottoson, Cornette Library; Melissa Picon, Communication Disorders; Michael Reagan, Information Technology; LuAnne Rickwartz, Student Medical Services; and Kina Wilson, Registrar's Office;
• 15 years: Brandy Carr, Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business; Ryan Green, SSC; Kathryn Lefever, Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences; Sonya Orr, Information Technology; Shannon Purcell, Information Technology; Sarah Ramey, Athletics; and Warren Stricker, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum;
• 10 years: Amy Antunez, Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities; Renee Brummett, Business Office; Tamara Castagnetta, Scholarship Services; Alexis Fitzgerald, Student Medical Services; Rosie Garcia, SSC; Shannon Ham, Human Resources; Micah Hanbury, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum; Raymond Hollabaugh, Department of Agricultural Sciences; Lisa Insall, Scholarship Services; Byron Neal, WT Underwriters Lab; Lorry Parker, Admissions; Kendra Potts, Athletics; Stephanie Price, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum; Hayley Robinson, Student Medical Services; Rebecca Rutkowski, Student Financial Aid; Laura Seals, AmeriCorps; Rita Smith, Graduate School; Matthew Stewart, Athletics; Jeffrey Tufford, Lock Shop; and Rebecca Warren, Counseling Services;
• Five years: Benton Allen, College of Engineering; Miranda Bible, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum; Carrie Cash, Admissions; Lisa Hoff Davis, Philanthropy and External Relations; Paige Dodge, College of Engineering; Jessica Dotson, Residential Living; Christopher Garcia, School of Music; Seth Hanbury, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum; Kelly Hoppe, Cornette Library; Erin Jones, Department of Agriculture; Emily Key, Graduate School; Steven Knadle, Registrar’s Office; Melissa Lance, Virgil Henson Activities Center; Angelica Medina, Advising Services; Andrew Miller, Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum; Chris Rea, Communication and Marketing; Sarah Patschke, Student Medical Services; Sami Thompson, Student Engagement and Leadership; and Brian Yates, Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Staff and faculty members who retired in 2023 also were recognized: Sammie Artho, Karl Kimsey, Martin Lopez, Candy C. Marshall, Cynthia Meador, Meri Lyn Odell, Lori A. O’Toole, Dr. Jim Owens, Dr. Byron E. Pearson, Dr. Keith Price, Dr. Helen L. Reyes, Goldie Stayton, Dr. Jean A. Stuntz and Laura J. Waight.

Also celebrated were outgoing and incoming members of the WT Staff Council, as were employees who completed academic degrees in the past year: Caleb Brandon, Renea Dauntes, Barbara Ferrara, Liz Lopez and Genifer Schuster.

Recognizing excellent and devoted faculty and staff is in line with WT’s “people first” philosophy, as 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 campaign — which publicly launched in September 2021— has raised more than $125 million and will continue through 2025.

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.

Photo: Mike Young, right, is congratulated by President Walter V. Wendler for winning the West Texas A&M University Employee of the Year.

—WT—