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Mike Wartes Honored by WT with President’s Panhandle Pioneer Award
Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu
CANYON, Texas — A longtime Canyon and Amarillo leader was honored for his service to the region and West Texas A&M University on Sept. 23 at the launch of WT’s historic fundraising campaign.
WT President Walter V. Wendler presented the President’s Panhandle Pioneer Award to Mike Wartes as part of the rollout of the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign.
The One West campaign, which will raise $125 million for WT in the next five years, will fuel the vision set out for the University in WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.
“Tonight’s recipient has served not only WT, but the Canyon community through service as a teacher, coach and superintendent,” Wendler said. “He also has served communities across the Panhandle through his leadership on the Board of the High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation and Baptist Community Services.”
The President’s Panhandle Pioneer Award was established to recognize the volunteer and service contributions of an individual or organization providing for the betterment of the University and the Texas Panhandle in service to the goals of WT 125.
“I am honored and humbled to receive the Pioneer Award presented by Dr. Wendler,” Wartes said. “WT is a great school with a very bright future with his leadership.”
Wartes was instrumental in High Plains Christian Ministries’ historic $3 million gift to WT to support WT’s Department of Nursing and help fund the construction of the Baptist Community Services Nursing Education Floor in Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center.
Texas Cattle Feeders Association was presented the inaugural President’s Panhandle Pioneer Award in 2019.
About West Texas A&M University
WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 40 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also 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 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.
—WTAMU—