WT Student PR Team Competing Nationally

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

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University students are aiding a national campaign offering support to libraries.

Students in the University’s Department of Communication will run a month-long public relations campaign for EveryLibrary and the EveryLibrary Institute as part of their 2025 Bateman Case Study Competition.

The Bateman Case Study Competition, which runs Feb. 3 to March 3, is a national competition sponsored by the Public Relations Student Society of America. The competition allows students to apply their classroom education and internship experiences to create and implement a full public relations campaign.

EveryLibrary is a political action committee that campaigns in support of public, school and college libraries. PRSSA chose EveryLibrary as this year’s client for schools taking part in the competition.

“The EveryLibrary campaign is important because it highlights the essential role libraries play in fostering education, community, and equitable access to information,” said team leader Victoria Reyes, a junior digital communication and media major from Roswell, New Mexico. “Libraries serve as pillars of society, providing resources and opportunities for all, regardless of socioeconomic background. By addressing this topic, we can advocate for the sustainability and growth of a critical public service that benefits communities nationwide.”

WT’s Bateman team members will conduct social media campaigns to encourage the public to support its efforts via Instagram at @EveryLibraryWT and on Facebook at facebook.com/EveryLibraryCampaign.WTAMU.

The public also can participate in an online survey and sign the “Pledge to Vote for Libraries” form. They may also submit a “Libraries Change Lives” story via links in the social media bios; deadline is midnight Feb. 22 for a chance to win coffee gift cards and books.

More than 75 teams enter the competition each year, giving students real-world experience that can translate to résumé additions, portfolio pieces and even jobs. This is the 16th year WT will enter the competition. Campaigns created by WT students have earned national distinction in 2019 and 2022 for being in the top 15 teams from across the country.

WT team members also include Nataley Bonilla, a junior public relations, advertising and applied communication major from Dimmitt; Ashlyn Harvell, a sophomore digital communication and media major from Canyon; and Sara Salas, a junior public relations, advertising and applied communication major from Miami, New Mexico.

“The Bateman Team students have worked hard to create a campaign for their client, which is great preparation for their future careers,” said Dr. Kristina Drumheller, professor of communication and associate dean for communication, art, theatre and danced.

Offering intellectually challenging, critically reflective and regionally responsive academic programs is the University’s primary mission, as laid out in 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 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 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; 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: Members of West Texas A&M University's 2025 Bateman Case Study Competition team are, from left, Victoria Reyes, Nataley Bonilla, Ashlyn Harvell and Sara Salas.

—WT—