Stanley Schaeffer Awarded Honorary Doctorate
Prominent regional businessman and philanthropist Stanley Schaeffer was awarded an honorary doctorate of business administration May 8 by his alma mater, West Texas A&M University, and a new scholarship endowment was named in honor of his son, David.
“Stanley has been central to the shaping of the Texas Panhandle’s University, West Texas A&M,” said President Dr. Walter Wendler. “His values and vision align with the long-range plan, WT 125 , and we are grateful for his commitment and contributions. Stanley’s wife, Geneva, was likewise committed to the Texas Panhandle and higher education. The Schaeffers’ legacy in this region is legendary, and Stanley’s commitment is absolutely remarkable.”
“It’s very humbling,” Dr. Schaeffer said. “Attending WT changed my life, and now to receive an honorary doctorate from a university that I love is an honor I do not take lightly.”
The David Schaeffer Legacy Scholarship Endowment will offer a minimum of $2,000 per year for students in the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business.
David Schaeffer’s friends and colleagues donated more than $250,000 to the fund, which was matched by funds from the Engler Foundation’s historic gift to the Engler College of Business to create a $500,000 endowment, one of the college’s most significant scholarships.
“I have never in my life seen a family who display the kind of leadership that the Schaeffers do,” Wendler said. “They all show a sense of purpose, a sense of legacy and a sense of tradition that should be emulated.”
“I am totally blown away,” David Schaeffer said. “It is amazing to see the way people step up to help other people, and more than that, to support WT. I feel blessed.”
