WT Campus Wins National Landscaping Award

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

CANYON, Texas — The tree-lined grounds of West Texas A&M University recently earned national recognition.

The National Association of Landscape Professionals gave SSC Services for Education a silver award in its 2025 Awards of Excellence for institutional landscape contracting.

“I am proud of our SSC grounds and leadership team for achieving this award,” said Randy Rikel, vice president for business and finance. “WT’s campus has always been a jewel in the Texas Panhandle, and this recognition from the National Association of Landscape Professionals is further proof of that fact.”

The team is led by Candy Rea, SSC grounds manager.

“Our team has been doing an outstanding job, and we will continue to work to keep moving in the right direction,” said Darrell Auburg, SSC assistant facilities director.

NALP cited WT for its “iconic landscape, blending architecture with modern plantings,” particularly around the “Original Texans” sculpture on the Charles K. and Barbara Kerr Vaughan Pedestrian Mall.

“It welcomes students to campus every day with rushing water surrounded by meticulously cared-for annual plantings,” NALP noted.

Also cited were a seating area and perennial bed north of the Engineering and Computer Science Building; the line of Siberian elms along 26th Street, formerly a horse-drawn wagon trail; and the Joseph A. Hill Memorial Chapel, among other campus landmarks.

“While trees may not be a part of a typical west Texas landscape, (WT) has a vibrant tree canopy planted decades ago in the hope of providing shade to students,” NALP noted.

WT’s grounds team won an honor award in the University and College Grounds—Large (500+ acres) category by the Professional Grounds Management Society’s Green Star Awards in November 2023.

The team manages approximately 350 acres on the main campus, including eight synthetic turf fields, plus the Nance Ranch, the WT Rodeo Arena, the WT Horse Center, Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center and the WT Enterprise Center.

Responsiveness to the Texas Panhandle’s geography makes WT distinctive and ties into 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 has raised more than $175 million and will continue through 2025.

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.

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