WT News & Notes | August 2025

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

CANYON, Texas — Here’s a roundup of the latest news and accomplishments of West Texas A&M University students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Revett Appointed Art, Theatre and Dance Department Head

Jon Revett, a 12-year veteran of the WT faculty, was named the new head of the Department of Art, Theatre and Dance in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities .

Revett, a professor of art who also serves as art program director, assumed his new role Aug. 1.

“It is an honor to serve as the chair of our department,” Revett said. “We play a vital role in the arts in our region, and I am excited to be at the helm of such a great group of humans. The faculty actively participates in cultural events at the local, national and international level, while raising up the next generation of artists, actors, designers, dancers, and production crew. My goal is to continue to enrich our community by highlighting the importance of the arts through education, and I look forward to serving the faculty, our students, the university, and the people of the Texas Panhandle.”

“I look forward to Jon’s role as leader of the Department of Art, Theater, and Dance,” said Dr. Dan Peterson, dean. “His connections to the community, creativity as an artist, and vision for the future will be a lift to each of the programs. He will also be a valuable member to the Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities as he works together with the other leaders in the College.”

A WT alum, Revett has taught at the collegiate level since 2004, has organized several galleries and has hung countless art shows. He also is a prolific artist, having participated in multiple solo and juried art shows and also curating group exhibitions.

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WT Rodeo Stars Win Awards

A pair of WT Rodeo athletes recently were named winners of a national honor.

Tres Colvin, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Uvalde, and Weston Peters, a senior agricultural business and economics major from San Antonio, were named 2024 Scholar American recipients.

The honor is bestowed by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association for NIRA members who have earned points at sanctioned rodeos, been in college for more than one term and earned a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

“We’re proud to celebrate these two standout student-athletes for being named 2024 NIRA Scholar Americans,” said WT Rodeo Coach Cody Joe Bonds, who nominated the pair. “This is an honor reserved for rodeo competitors who’ve not only earned points in the arena but also maintained academic excellence. Your commitment both in the classroom and on the dirt represent the very best of college rodeo.”

WT Rodeo recently moved into the newly formed Caprock Region of NIRA’s Southwest Region. The rodeo season will begin Sept. 18 to 20 at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico.

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Fouts Named to New Rogers LEAD Position

Dr. Shawn Fouts is the new faculty director of WT’s Rogers LEAD Program.

Fouts will continue as WT’s senior director of campus community and director of residential living.

“I can’t wait to really form relationships with these outstanding WT students,” Fouts said. “Seeing what they already bring to our campus community and where they can go is something special.”

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

As faculty director, Fouts will play a central role in shaping both the academic and personal leadership development of the scholars. He will be responsible for teaching the leadership courses in the co-curricular program. In addition to developing and implementing the curriculum, he will serve as a mentor to students, providing support and guidance through coursework, service projects, internships and experiential learning opportunities.

“I am pleased that Dr. Fouts accepted this role,” said Dr. Neil Terry, executive vice president and provost. “We are all excited to work with Shawn and look forward to his contribution to the continued positive progress of the program.”

Fouts earned a bachelor’s in religion in 1994 from MidAmerica Nazarene University and an Ed.D. in higher education administration in 2005 from Texas Tech University.

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Clark Earns Recognition from National Organization

Dr. Elizabeth Morrow Clark, professor of history in WT’s Department of History in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities , is one of six from around the country named as a top adviser for a national collegiate honor society.

Clark won a 2025 Excellence in Advising Award from the Mortar Board National College Honor Society, alongside advisers from Nebraska, Maryland and elsewhere.

Mortar Board, which includes 235 chapters across the U.S., is the nation’s premiere honor society recognizing college juniors and seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership and service.

“I am thankful for this recognition from Mortar Board National,” Clark said. “Working with perhaps more than a thousand outstanding, motivated servant-leaders and scholars in WT’s Scribes Chapter has been one of the best parts of my career at the University.”

Clark recently was featured in the national Mortar Board Forum magazine and served on the organization’s national planning committee for its virtual conference.

Clark, a Polish historian by training, joined WT in 2000 after earning degrees from the University of Richmond and the University of Kansas. She teaches topics from Napoleon to nationalism.

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Starcher, Nelson Publish Revised Energy Textbook

Kenneth Starcher, a retired WT engineering instructor, and Dr. Vaughn C. Nelson, a retired WT physics professor and former dean, recently completed the third edition of an energy textbook.

The two recently published the new edition of their “Introduction to Renewable Energy” textbook through CRC Press in March.

The revised edition includes new data and discoveries since the last revision in 2015, as well as 96 color images, a first in CRC Press’s Renewable Energy series.

“Dedicated to converging science and technology in a way that ensures a sustainable future, this book outlines the basics of renewable energy and focuses on current and developing policies that support the shift to renewable energy,” Starcher said.

Starcher, a WT alum, and Nelson co-founded WT’s Alternative Energy Institute. Nelson, who served as dean of the Graduate School, Research and Information Technology until 2001, was named a professor emeritus in 2005.

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Promoting quality, both in education and student work, is a cornerstone of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World .

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $165 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. 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 more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and 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 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WT—