The Texas A&M University System has named an 11-member advisory committee to help select the next president of West Texas A&M University as the school prepares for a leadership transition this fall.
Texas A&M System Regent Randy Brooks will chair the committee, which includes Regent Sam Torn along with representatives from WT's faculty, staff and student body, as well as business and community leaders from across the Texas Panhandle. The committee will conduct the search with assistance from Parker Executive Search, a firm that specializes in recruiting college and university leaders.
"West Texas A&M University has a clear responsibility to its students and to the people of the Panhandle," Brooks said. "Our job is to find a president who understands that responsibility, respects the character of WT and has the experience and judgment to lead the university forward. We intend to conduct a thorough national search and bring strong candidates to the chancellor and the Board of Regents."
The search comes ahead of President Walter V. Wendler's retirement on Sept. 1, ending a 10-year tenure leading the university. Executive Vice President and Provost Neil Terry will step in as interim president the same day and has said he does not plan to seek the permanent position.
Chancellor Glenn Hegar said the system is looking for a leader who will keep students at the center of the university's mission while strengthening its impact across the region.
"WT's next president must put students first and understand that the value of a university is measured by the opportunities it creates for its graduates and the service it provides to its region," Hegar said. "We are looking for a proven leader who will strengthen academic quality, keep a WT education affordable, prepare students for good careers and build partnerships that help the Panhandle and Texas prosper."
The advisory committee includes:
Regent Randy Brooks, chair
Regent Sam Torn
Alex Fairly, founder and executive, The OccuNet Company
State Rep. John Smithee, attorney, Smithee Russell Law LLP
Ben Weinheimer, president and CEO, Texas Cattle Feeders Association
Angela Spaulding, WT vice president for research and compliance and dean of the Graduate School
Emily Hunt, dean of WT's College of Engineering and associate vice president for innovation and research
Ammileigh Smith, WT student body president
John Bassett, president of the WT Staff Council and assistant bursar
Audrey Meador, Clair Mayes Professor of Mathematics and chair of the WT Faculty Advisory Council
Wade Shaffer, WT professor of history and former provost and vice president for academic affairs
Committee members will recruit and evaluate candidates before making recommendations to Chancellor Hegar and the Texas A&M System Board of Regents.
