WT’s One West Campaign Sets New Goal: $175 Million

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

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University today announced an ambitious new goal for its One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, already the largest in Texas Panhandle history.

Almost exactly two years after the campaign was publicly launched and just four months after its first goal was reached, One West leaders announced that they aim to raise a staggering $175 million by the time the campaign ends in 2025.

“Because of the generosity of donors across the Panhandle region; because of the bold vision cast for the University in the long-range plan; because of the thoughtful and innovative leadership of President Walter V. Wendler, the administration, faculty, staff, and students of this great University, we believe we can do more,” campaign co-chair Jim J. Brewer said. “We feel we should do more!”

Brewer and cochair Leah McLain said that the campaign has currently raised $150,661,665, with $39 million raised in the last fiscal year. That’s the fourth year in a row in which WT has enjoyed record fundraising totals.

Thus far, nearly 8,000 donors have given more than 62,000 gifts as part of the One West campaign.

The campaign fuels the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World. Its three priorities: people, through scholarships and professorships; programs, enhancing academic offerings and research; and places, improving existing buildings and constructing new spaces.

“Today is an exciting day for me personally as President of West Texas A&M University,” Wendler said. “Meeting the original public goal and announcing a new goal provides tremendous momentum for WT and is a source of great pride for the Panhandle’s University.

“Just look at WT students and talk to a few of them, and you will agree with me: We need to make WT the best it can be for them, and we need to give students and families many reasons to stay in this region after graduation to work, lead, live and serve,” Wendler continued.

The campaign officially launched Sept. 23, 2021 in a massive event held on the floor of Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium. The campaign began with the $80 million gift from the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation, the 17th largest gift that year in America to an institution of higher education.

Though the campaign, nearly $19 million in new scholarship funding has been raised, and more than $18 million has been given to endow 70 new professorships and chairs—an increase of more than 200 percent during the campaign. WT will soon boast nearly 90 professorships, offering each additional funding for research, travel and more.

More than $42 million has been raised to support academic programs, enhancing instructional offerings and research.

More than $19 million has been given for funding for construction, renovation, dedicated maintenance and future upgrades, as well as providing new educational, gathering and recreational spaces.

During the campaign, WT has received more than $76 million in major gifts of $25,000 or more.

Other gifts received thus far in the One West campaign are planned gifts—legacy gifts that will benefit the University as part of donors’ estates. Nearly $30 million has been pledged by donors.

I Am WT, the University’s annual fund campaign, has raised nearly $20 million since the One West campaign launch. Annual fund gifts are below $25,000.

Among the giving opportunities: Endowed scholarships for students; named professorships and chairs for faculty members; endowed programs and research funds; and naming rights for two of the University’s Colleges and its Graduate School, as well as various campus buildings, classrooms and other spaces.

The WTAMU Foundation will work with donors to set up multi-year commitments, gifts from donor-advised funds or appreciated assets, gifts of property, or estate bequests through wills or living trusts, among other options.

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 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including 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.

—WT—