West Texas A&M University (WT) officially introduced the seven inaugural members of The Hill Institute’s advisory board of directors during a press conference on campus, marking a key milestone in the development of the new values-based academic initiative.
The Hill Institute, founded in October 2023, was made possible through a transformative $20 million donation from Cheryl and Alex Fairly—the largest family gift ever received by WT as part of its One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. The institute, named in honor of WT’s second and longest-serving president, Joseph A. Hill, aims to foster research, teaching, and civic engagement rooted in enduring principles.
WT President Dr. Walter V. Wendler emphasized the Institute’s focus on 10 core values: trust, family life, hard work, regard for others, personal responsibility, compatriotism and patriotism, virtue, faith, personal and civic loyalty, and rugged individualism.
“These are not just institutional values; they are human values that shape strong individuals and stronger societies,” Wendler said. “The Hill Institute will serve as a living laboratory where such values are studied, taught, and lived out.”
Inaugural Board Members
The newly appointed advisory board includes a distinguished group of national leaders from across various sectors:
Dr. Ben Carson, renowned neurosurgeon and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Kriss Cloninger III, former president of AFLAC Inc.
Lee Crisp, former president of Pepsi MidAmerica
Alex Fairly, chairman of The OccuNet Company and co-chair of the One West campaign
Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition
Dr. Kevin D. Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation
Dr. Walter V. Wendler, president of WT and board member
Five of the seven board members attended the press event in person. Crisp and Roberts were not able to be present.
Dr. Ben Carson spoke warmly about his appointment, describing the Institute’s mission as “essential to the preservation of the American spirit.”
“These are the values that ground our country. The Hill Institute’s work in instilling these principles in students is more than timely—it’s necessary,” Carson said.
A Vision Years in the Making
According to university officials, the development of the advisory board was a year-long effort led by Wendler and Fairly. Their goal: to recruit individuals with not only national influence but also a demonstrated commitment to personal integrity and civic responsibility.
“These board members represent some of the finest minds and hearts in America,” Fairly said. “Most importantly, they’re people of character. The Hill Institute is about more than academic achievement—it’s about shaping responsible citizens who understand that the way you live matters.”
WT Vice President for Philanthropy Dr. Todd Rasberry reflected on Joseph A. Hill’s legacy, describing him as a leader guided by deeply held convictions and a belief in the transformative power of education.
“Dr. Hill believed in personal responsibility and Judeo-Christian values as the foundation of a free and principled society,” Rasberry said. “The Institute that bears his name will honor and extend that legacy.”
A Public-Private Partnership Model
The Hill Institute is funded exclusively through private philanthropy, not government funding—a strategic choice that WT leaders say aligns with its core mission of fostering independence and responsibility.
“This is a demonstration of the true public-private partnership which is the nature of a republican form of government at work,” Wendler noted.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved the Institute in February 2022. Since then, WT has continued refining its vision and structure.
Faculty Leadership
Five WT faculty members have already been appointed to roles affiliated with the Institute:
Dr. Maxine De Butte – Dyke Rogers Professor of Psychology
Dr. Janet Hindman – Dyke Rogers Professor of Educational Leadership
Dr. Holly Jeffreys – Ware University Distinguished Professor
Dr. Jenifer Kunz – Dyke Rogers Professor of Sociology
Dr. Judy Williams – Dyke Rogers Professor of Education (Science of Teaching Reading)
These professors will play a key role in advancing the Institute’s academic and cultural mission within the university.
Looking Forward
As WT continues to expand the reach and impact of The Hill Institute, university officials say the work has only just begun. The advisory board will help shape the direction of programming, community outreach, and interdisciplinary research.
