Rep. Price, Caviness Family Honored at WT Celebration of Donors

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

CANYON, Texas — A retiring Texas legislator and a family that helped transform one of the region’s most vital industries were honored for their significant contributions to West Texas A&M University during a Sept. 26 event.

Terry Caviness and sons Trevor and Regan were presented the Pinnacle Award during WT’s Celebration of Donors, held in the Alumni Banquet Hall on campus.

Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo, was named the recipient of the President’s Panhandle Pioneer Award by WT President Walter V. Wendler.

“Your philanthropic investments in WT help faculty and students find new ways to think about the issues of our region and search for creative solutions to problems,” Wendler said to the gathered supporters. “Moreover, donors are partners with WT in seizing opportunities within communities across the Panhandle to build our regional exceptionalism.”

Also recognized during the evening were other top donors in the University’s Old Main Society.

“Each of you have contributed to making WT the Panhandle’s University through your generous support,” said Dr. Todd Rasberry, vice president of philanthropy and external relations and executive director of the WTAMU Foundation. “Your giving represents not one gift, but a lifetime of giving. Your continued support is essential to accomplishing the growth and success of WT as a Regional Research University.”

The Pinnacle Award recognizes donors who have made a significant impact in funding the University’s strategic initiatives.

Caviness Beef Packers was founded in 1962 and is currently led by second- and third-generation family members. Terry Caviness, son of founder Pete, is CEO. Terry’s sons Trevor and Regan serve as president and vice president, respectively. The company has grown from harvesting a handful of cattle in the early days to processing 2,900 head today. Today, the company operates two processing locations and markets products worldwide.

The Caviness family has given almost $3.5 million to WT over the last decade.

In 2018, the Caviness family donated $2 million to name the state-of-the-art Caviness Meat Science and Innovation Center inside WT’s Agricultural Sciences Complex, a $48 million facility that also houses the three-story Happy State Bank Academic and Research Building, the Piehl-Schaeffer Pavilion and the Bain Event Center, a multi-purpose area with spectator seating for up to 500 people.

In 2021, they gave $1.25 million to help establish the Caviness Davis Distinguished Chair in Meat Science with Dr. Gordon W. Davis, a Lubbock businessman and former educator, who pledged $3.75 million to fund two chairs in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. The Caviness Davis Distinguished Chair is held by Dr. Ty Lawrence.

The President’s Panhandle Pioneer Award recognizes those who have provided substantial volunteer service to WT and the region.

Price has represented Texas House District 87 since 2010. Among his career highlights are serving on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which reviews state agencies, and serving as chair or co-chair on six House committees.

As a part of the legislative contingent representing WT and the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle, Price has been a leader in securing significant state funding for WT, making possible such advances as the Center for Advancing Food Animal Production in the Panhandle and the ongoing, extensive renovations to the Geneva Schaeffer Education Building, among other projects.

Price also was instrumental in securing a land lease between Texas Health and Human Services Commission and The Texas A&M University System that will provide a location for the new 75-bed Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo. As part of the deal, WT has purchased the bus terminal adjacent to Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center, 720 S. Tyler St., and will use the property to further expand WT's Laura and Joe Street School of Nursing.

In July 2023, Price announced that he would not seek reelection.

The Caviness family and Rep. Price contribute significantly to the regional impact of WT and help the University live up to the goals of its 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’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised nearly $160 million.

The Sept. 26 event also celebrated the induction of new members and elevation of existing members in the Old Main Society, a group founded in 1998 to recognize supporters whose lifetime total of donations to WT and the WTAMU Foundation exceeds $50,000. Twenty-three new members were inducted, and 20 ascended to new levels within the Society.

“You are leading the way for all of us by demonstrating that together, we can do great things,” said David Schaeffer, WTAMU Foundation president. “Your generosity is humbling and inspiring.”

The Old Main Society has 439 total members.

Plus, 10 new members were inducted into the Eternal Flame Society, consisting of donors who are making gifts to the University through their estate planning.

New Old Main Society members include:

• Ambassador ($250,000 to $499,999): Nancy and Kel Seliger;
• Sustainer ($100,000 to $249,999): Cargill Inc. and Ted Powers;
• Supporter ($50,000 to $99,999): AvidXchange Inc.; Angela and Antonio Bazaldua; Jan Boyd; Julie Boyd; James P. Boyles; Carole and Rick Couch; Dalia and Michael Engler; Enterprise Holdings Foundation; First Financial Bank–Hereford; Tamra and Pete Kyle; Kim and Jimmy Lackey; The James & Eva Mayer Foundation; Kathi and Jeff Nunn; the Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers; Jimmy D. Pond; Raising Cane’s; Douglas J. Rhodes; Rogers & Sons Ltd.; and WFC Nutrition Inc.

Rising Old Main Society members include:

• Visionary ($5 million and above): Amarillo National Bank;
• Benefactor ($1 million to $4,999,999): Dale and Joan Coleman Charitable Trust; and Laura and Joe Street;
• Patron ($500,000 to $999,999): The Brumley Foundation; Champion Feeders Inc.; Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation; Pak-A-Sak Inc.; United Supermarkets LLC; and The Western Group of Companies;
• Ambassador: Cindy and Bruce Barrett; Kuhlman & Sons; Cleo and Dr. Bob Robinson; Chris Scharbauer / Scharbauer Cattle Co.; and Shapiro Family Limited Partnership;
• Sustainer: Emma Barnsley Foundation; Maxine Durrett Earl Charitable Foundation; Edward Jones; People’s Federal Credit Union; Yellowhouse Machinery Inc.; and the Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust.

Eternal Flame Society inductees include Linda B. Caraway; Carole and Rick Couch; Faith Dulaney; Debbie and the late Bill Farnum; Jan and Dr. Mark Hassinger; Lisa Hennen; Bob Phipps; the late Michael and Dr. Mary Joleen Walsh; and David Whatley.

Also recognized were donors who have given for 20- and 30-plus consecutive years.

Previous Pinnacle Award recipients include: Geneva and Stanley Schaeffer (2006), Bill and Joyce Attebury (2007), John Marmaduke (2008), Ray and Barbara Bain (2009), John G. O’Brien (2010), Helen Piehl (2011), Jack and Helene Hayward (2012), Atmos Energy and Charles K. and Barbara K. Vaughan (2013), Dyke and Terry Rogers (2014), Don and Twanna Powell (2015), The Don and Sybil B. Harrington Foundation (2016), Amarillo National Bank (2017), The Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation (2018), Happy State Bank (2019), Cheryl and Alex Fairly (2020), High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation (2021); Lanna and Bob Hatton (2022); and WT President Emeritus Russell C. Long and wife Natrelle Hedrick Long and the Mary E. Bivins Foundation (2023).

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.

Previous Pioneer Award recipients include: Texas Cattle Feeders Association (2019), Mike Wartes (2021); Dr. Barbara Bain, Dr. Helen Piehl and the late Dr. Geneva Schaeffer (2022); and Lilia Escajeda (2023).

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research 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. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree 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.

Photo: West Texas A&M University honored significant supporters at its annual Celebration of Donors event Sept. 26. Honored with the Pinnacle Award was the Caviness family, represented by Trevor and Sarah Caviness, second and third from left; Terry and Jeannette Caviness, center; and Kelly and Regan Caviness, third and second from right. Honored with the President's Panhandle Pioneer Award was Rep. Four Price, fourth from left. Also pictured are, left, David Schaeffer, president of the WTAMU Foundation; and WT President Walter V. Wendler, right.

—WT—