WT’s Fall Gather to Celebrate Dr. Stanley Schaeffer, Regional Agriculture

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

CANYON, Texas — Longtime West Texas A&M University supporter Dr. Stanley Schaeffer will be honored at the third Fall Gather on Sept. 27.

The event, a celebration of Panhandle agriculture, is put on by students in WT’s Department of Agricultural Sciences. It will run 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 27 west of Buffalo Courts on WT’s Canyon campus, during the Party on 26th Street tailgate.

“Fall Gather is more than just a tailgating event. It’s about bringing our campus and community together to celebrate agriculture, which is the very thing that keeps the Panhandle going,” said Addie Brown, Fall Gather chairwoman and senior agricultural media and communication major from Beeville. “It is special because it’s created and led by students who care deeply about honoring the people who make agriculture strong.”

Tickets are $35 for adults, $10 for students and $5 for children, and may be purchased at fallgather.com/tickets.

Schaeffer will be recognized his decades of leadership and support of WT and the Panhandle’s agriculture industry, including his long service on boards and his commitment to fostering the next generation of producers. Schaeffer was awarded an honorary doctorate of business administration by WT in 2021.

“Dr. Schaeffer has always been one of Fall Gather’s biggest supporters, showing up every year to celebrate with us,” said McKenna Murphy, Fall Gather marketing chair and senior agricultural media and communication major from Kiowa, Colorado. “Having him at the event has become something we look forward to, so this year we felt it was only fitting to honor him in a unique way that reflects how much he means to our students and to this community.”

The party, on the lawns between Buff Courts and 26th Street, will include live music from Cooper Hokanson, Tristan Graves, and Quentin Churchwell; interactive educational activities; the Corny Corner, a designated play area for children; a hearty meal featuring tri-tip steak, as well as side dishes made from Panhandle-raised ingredients; and alcohol for those ages 21 and older. Attendees can vote for their favorite grill team.

Fall Gather ticket purchases also include admission to the football game and a free T-shirt.

Sponsorship levels run from $500 to $10,000, offering varying levels of benefits, including ticket packages, recognition in advertisements and more.

Sponsors as of Sept. 5 include Landair Inc., Brown Land & Cattle, Compass Ag Solutions, Texas Corn Producers, Jana and Johnny Trotter, Western Group, Texas Wheat Producers, Durrett Cattle, Koben Puckett Productions, Velrick Wilson, Plains Cotton Growers, Flatland Agronomy, and Barbara and Arlie Petty.

Funds raised will benefit the WT clubs and organizations who put on the event. In the last two years, the event has raised more than $20,000.

“This event is completely student-driven,” said Dr. Kevin Pond, dean of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. “Our students take on the fundraising, logistics and marketing themselves. They are learning real-world skills while also giving back to their community.”

Executive committee members, including Brown and Murphy, are Ridley Strackbein, logistics chair and a junior agribusiness major from Fredericksburg; Hana Craycraft, fundraising chair and a senior animal science / pre-vet major from Keller; and Ella Bidaurreta, vice-chair and a junior agricultural business and economics major from Winnemucca, Nevada.

Other student committee members include Sydney Wotowey, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Fort Collins, Colorado; Mallory Jackson, a junior agriculture major from Colby, Kansas; Emily Montgomery, a junior agricultural education major from Lubbock; David Holt, a sophomore agribusiness major from Hico; Presley Graves, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Stephenville; Jenna Arens, a sophomore equine industry and business major from Shawano, Wisconsin; Emerson Dean, a senior animal science major from Decatur; Claudia Tepper, a sophomore agribusiness major from Lubbock; and Auburn Frost, a junior animal science / pre-vet major from Seguin.

The Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences is a key component of WT’s mission to address regional challenges, 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 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.

—WT—