WT Wins Statewide Award for Veterans Services

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

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University has earned a prestigious statewide recognition for its work with veterans and the military community.

The Texas Veterans Commission has awarded WT’s Office of Military and Veteran Services a gold Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award, recognizing the University’s commitment toward ensuring the academic success of veterans and the military community.

The state legislature established the VEERA program in 2013 to recognize public colleges and universities; awards have been presented since 2021.

“At WT, we are absolutely committed to honoring and advocating for those who have made the sacrifice to serve our country,” said Dr. Chris Thomas, vice president for student affairs. “Our outstanding Military and Veteran Services office works hard to assist our veterans and their families achieve their dream of a college education. We are proud of our veterans and those who serve them at WT.”

The award will be accepted in October at the Texas A&M University System Military-Affiliated Student Symposium by Amy Criss, director of military and veteran services.

“We strive to provide an atmosphere where military-connected students feel seen, supported, and thrive both academically and personally,” Criss said. “Receiving the Gold VEERA award is validation that what we are doing here is working and is motivation to keep going and improving every day.”

Veterans and military-affiliated students make up more than 6 percent of WT’s student population.

Military and Veterans Services provides support for active-duty service members, veterans and families of either, offering access to a variety of educational benefits programs for them and their dependents. The office was one of 19 institutions receiving a gold 2023 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award by the Texas Veterans Commission.

WT has the No. 1 online bachelor’s programs for veterans among Texas schools and No. 19 in the country, according to the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings. Online MBA programs for veterans ranked No. 62, or No. 7 across Texas schools.

The University also co-sponsors an annual Veterans Day celebration with the City of Canyon at the Veterans Memorial on the WT campus. This year’s celebration is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 11.

WT’s goal to be a leading institution in the United States for enrolling military personnel is a key metric in 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 $170 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M 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. A Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, WT 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. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The University also is 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.

Photo: West Texas A&M University's Office of Military and Veterans Services has earned a gold Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award from the Texas Veterans Commission. Staff members include, from left, Rhiannon Sellinger, benefits coordinator; Amy Criss, director; and Destany Walters, a sophomore management major from Tucumcari, New Mexico, and student worker.

—WT—