‘Out of This World’ WT Homecoming Activities Set for Oct. 4 to 11

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

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University alumni and students will have a celestially good time as the University celebrates Homecoming 2024.

Themed “Out of This World,” Homecoming events run Oct. 4 to 11, culminating Oct. 12 with the annual parade and WT Football’s game against Western New Mexico University.

“Homecoming Week is the centerpiece of the Alumni Association’s outreach efforts and is truly a special time of year for the entire Buff community, from alumni to students to faculty and staff to our friends in Canyon and the region,” said Ronnie Hall, WT Alumni Association executive director. “We invite everyone to join us on campus to celebrate WT’s excellence and create lifelong memories.”

Highlights will include:

• The Phoenix: This celebration of WT’s Distinguished Alumni Class of 2024, set for 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 10, will include a dinner and program, followed by jazz music and desserts. Dinner will be held in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center, with the after-party scheduled to be held around Buffalo Fountain on the Charles K. and Barbara Kerr Vaughan Pedestrian Mall. Tickets are $75; tables are $600 to $1,500. Honorees are Dr. James L. Cornette, a renowned mathematician and paleontologist; Brenda Schroer, one of the most esteemed women in the energy industry; and Clay Stribling, the highly respected president and CEO of the Amarillo Area Foundation.
• Dr. Paul Engler Bronze Statue Unveiling: A statue honoring the legendary cattleman and philanthropist will be revealed at 10 a.m. Oct. 11 at the Happy State Bank Academic & Research Building.
• Homecoming Parade: The “Out of This World”-themed parade will begin at 1 p.m. Oct. 12 and will follow a route from the First United Bank Center to the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex along Russell Long Boulevard. For entry information, call 806-651-2051. The parade—which will be hosted by NewsChannel 10’s Ali Allison and Shelden Breshears—will be broadcast on KFDA’s MeTV (digital channel 10.4 and cable channel 127) and will stream on WT’s home page and social media platforms and KFDA’s NewsChannel 10 Plus streaming services.
• Countdown to Kickoff Block Party: Tailgating activities will begin immediately after the parade along 26th Street across from Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium on campus. The Alumni Association will host an open house, as well.
• WT Football: The Buffs will take on Western New Mexico at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 in Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium. For tickets, visit gobuffsgo.com.

Student activities will include Paint the Town Maroon on Oct. 4, with students decorating windows and vehicles around the community; a “Tunes at Noon” karaoke party Oct. 8 and 9 in the JBK Commons and the University Dining Hall, respectively; Homecoming King and Queen elections; a dodgeball tournament Oct. 9 in the Virgil Henson Activities Center; and Pigskin Revue, the annual spirit rally at 8 p.m. Oct. 11 on Citizens Bank Plaza at Buffalo Stadium.

For a complete list of activities, visit wtamu.edu/homecoming.

Maintaining strong community ties is a component of the University’s 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 more than $160 million.

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.

—WT—