WT’s Phi Delta Theta Chapter Earns National Recognition

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

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s chapter of Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity recently won a prestigious honor after raising thousands for charity.

The local Texas Theta chapter was designated an “Iron Phi” chapter after raising more than $10,000 to support the international fraternity’s philanthropic focus on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a fatal muscle-wasting disease.

The disease is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named for the 20th-century baseball star who became synonymous with ALS. Gehrig was a member of Phi Delta Theta while attending Columbia University.

The WT chapter has been involved with the Val Kiper ALS Golf Tournament since its inception in 2022. Kiper, regional dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, was diagnosed with ALS in December 2020.

“There are no local ALS advocacy groups, so our chapter volunteered with the golf tournament because it’s a way for us to help fight the battle against this disease,” said Bryce Wiginton, a senior political science major from Boys Ranch and the chapter’s treasurer and service chair. “Advocating and supporting has allowed members to become more invested in community wellbeing and the philanthropic contributions of Greek life at WT.”

As part of Texas Theta’s Iron Phi designation, Kiper—who earned nursing degrees from WT in 1983 and 1986—also was named an Iron Phi.

“I am so grateful for the involvement of the Texas Theta chapter and the young men who have inspired us with their enthusiasm to not only be involved in the annual golf tournament, but to make a difference in the lives of those living with ALS,” Kiper said. “Their involvement has truly contributed to the tournament’s success over the past three years. They will always have a seat on this committee. I am humbled to have been designated as an Iron Phi and want to thank these young men and their leadership for nominating me for this prestigious honor.”

Current Texas Theta members, in addition to Wiginton, include T.S. Bow, a junior agribusiness and economics major from Happy; Ty Clark, a sophomore agribusiness major from Canyon; Kendall Earheart, a senior agribusiness major from Burleson; Kyler Gillespie, a freshman agribusiness and economics major from Floydada; Jacob Goode, a senior business management major from Burleson; Wyatt Halle, a junior health sciences major from Weatherford; Leo Harper, a junior agribusiness major from Gruver; Kason Hughes, a freshman agribusiness major from Floydada; Jacob Love, a sophomore animal science/pre-vet major from Ferris; Charlie Raspberry, a freshman general business major from Dublin; Canon Rosser, a sophomore agribusiness and economics major from Canyon; Jamison Talley, a junior nursing major from Stillwater, Oklahoma; and Reese Weller, a sophomore agribusiness and economics major from Sugar Land.

Providing a nurturing yet rigorous educational environment for learners of all levels and fostering a commitment among students to be part of something larger than one’s self are key principles 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.

Photo: West Texas A&M University's Texas Theta chapter of Phi Delta Theta recently earned Iron Phi status. Members include, back from left, Jamison Talley, Kendall Earheart, Wyatt Halle, Bryce Wiginton, TS Bow, Leo Harper, Jacob Goode and Jacob Love, and, front from left, Reese Weller, Kason Hughes, Charlie Raspberry, Kyler Gillespie and Ty Clark. Not pictured is Canon Rosser.

—WT—