WT's Legacy | Honoring Supporters
Recognizing the Committee for Advancement of Agricultural Science Programs at WTAMU
In the beginning, influential business and community leaders shared a common interest and devotion to WT. This led to the important work of raising the Agricultural Sciences programs to national recognition. Mike Mauldin, President and CEO of First Financial Bank Hereford; Dr. Bob Robinson, Randall County Commissioner; Stanley Schaeffer, retired WT Supporter; and Ross Wilson, President and CEO of Texas Cattle Feeders Association led the initial vision of a WT Agricultural program that would be competitive to any educational program in the nation.
Countless hours of hard work and generous giving support from the community, Alumni and supporters led to the September 2018 grand opening of a three building agricultural complex valued at $48 million. The stunning new three-story Happy State Bank Academic and Research building houses the Caviness Meat Science and Innovation Center, Doc's Meat retail Store, and the majority of the classroom spaces.
The Piehl-Schaeffer Pavilion hosts multi-purpose events and includes a state-of-the-art Wet Lab. The Bain Event Center is a multi-purpose arena that can seat up to 500 people for a wide-variety of equestrian events. The entire complex is 186,000 square feet of student-centered learning and community space.
The impressive, three building complex is a proud symbol of the importance of agricultural educational programs at West Texas A&M University, and the deep heritage it represents in the Texas Panhandle community. Internationally recognized faculty providing the highest-quality student education using state-of-the art classroom technology and laboratory equipment available. Graduating a highly-qualified, industry competitive employee that is impacting agricultural communities around the world.
