The Inauguration of
WALTER V. WENDLER Eleventh President of West Texas A&M University
WALTER V. WENDLER Eleventh President of West Texas A&M University September 15, 2017 1:30 p.m. Jack B. Kelley Student Center, Legacy Hall West Texas A&M University Canyon, Texas
MISSION AND HISTORY MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY West Texas A&M University is a diverse and inclusive student-centered community of learners that: • provides a technology-rich, academically rigorous educational experience at the undergraduate and graduate levels; • c ultivates opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, information literacy and ethical behavior; • directs resources in support of empowering co-curricular experiences; • m aintains focus on the development of future leaders for our community, the state, the nation and the world; and • s erves through education, research and consultation as a catalyst for economic development and enhancement of the quality of life for the region.
HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY The passage of a bill in early 1909 by the 31st Texas Legislature authorizing the establishment of a state normal school for the education of teachers located somewhere “west of the ninety-eighth meridian” set off a spirited bidding war as some 25 West Texas cities and towns competed to secure the educational institution. On Sept. 9, 1909, the location committee, consisting of the speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, the lieutenant governor and the superintendent of public instruction, announced its decision. The location for the school, already named West Texas State Normal College, would be Canyon, a young community of 1,400 located near the center of the rapidly developing Texas Panhandle. Many factors were involved in the location decision, but a pledge of 40 acres of land and $100,100 in cash made Canyon’s bid particularly attractive. Although not mentioned in the official report, the city’s lack of saloons also strengthened its case.
PLATFORM PARTY President of WTAMU, Walter V. Wendler Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, John Sharp Chairman, The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System, Charles W. Schwartz State Representative John Smithee State Representative Four Price State Representative Ken King Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Canyon, Justin Richardson Mayor of the City of Amarillo, Ginger Nelson Pastor Steve Olsen Pastor James L. Collins Faculty Senate Immediate Past President, Neil Meredith Staff Council President, Megan Whitten WTAMU Alumni Association Board President, David Willis Student Body President, Chandler Huddleston Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Wade Shaffer Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Dean Hawkins Dean of the College of Business, Neil Terry Dean of the School of Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics, Emily Hunt Dean of the College of Education and Social Sciences, Eddie Henderson Dean of the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, Jessica Mallard Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, J. Dirk Nelson Vice President for Compliance and Research and Dean of the Graduate School, Angela Spaulding Vice President for Student Enrollment, Engagement and Success, Michael Knox Vice President for Business and Finance, Randy Rikel Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Tim Bynum Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of The Texas A&M University System, James Hallmark Job Najera, Vocalist
WALTER V. WENDLER Walter V. Wendler took office as WTAMU’s eleventh president on August 20, 2016. With more than 20 years of academic experience and leadership, Dr. Wendler is well-prepared to lead WTAMU to excellence. Dr. Wendler comes to WTAMU from Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale, where he served as chancellor from 2001-2007. During his tenure, research productivity increased by 65 percent. He later returned to teaching architecture and retired as director of the School of Architecture at SIU in 2015. Before joining SIU, Dr. Wendler served as vice chancellor for Planning and System Integration at The Texas A&M University System. A native of New York, Dr. Wendler earned an associate degree from the State University of New York at Farmingdale and a bachelor’s degree in environmental design from Texas A&M University. He received his master’s degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife Mary have two sons and five grandchildren.
WTAMU PRESIDENTS
Robert Bartow Cousins 1910-1918
Joseph A. Hill 1918-1948
James P. Cornette 1948-1972
Lloyd I. Watkins 1972-1977
Max Sherman 1977-1982
Gail Shannon 1982-1984
Ed D. Roach 1984-1990
Barry Baird Thompson 1991-1994
Russell C. Long 1994-2005
J. Patrick O’Brien 2006-2016
INVESTITURE CEREMONY Prelude
Fanfare from La Peri
Paul Dukas
WTAMU Brass Quintet
Processional
March from Aida
Giuseppe Verdi
Call to Order
WTAMU Brass Quintet
Wade Shaffer | Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, WTAMU
*National Anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”
Job Najera | WTAMU Student, Vocalist WTAMU Brass Quintet
Francis Scott Key
*Invocation Welcome and Introductions
Pastor James L. Collins | Mount Zion Baptist Church, Amarillo
Wade Shaffer | Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, WTAMU
Musical Selection
String Quartet Op. 44 No. 1 in D Major, Molto allegro vivace
Felix Mendelssohn
Greetings from the State
Harrington String Quartet
The Honorable John Smithee | State Representative
The Honorable Four Price | State Representative
The Honorable Ken King | State Representative
INVESTITURE CEREMONY Greetings from Community
The Honorable Justin Richardson | Mayor Pro Tem, City of Canyon
The Honorable Ginger Nelson | Mayor, City of Amarillo
Greetings from Higher Education
Chandler Huddleston | President of the Student Body
Megan Whitten | President of the Staff Council
Neil Meredith | Immediate Past President of the Faculty Senate
David Willis | President of the WTAMU Alumni Association Board of Directors
Charles W. Schwartz | Chairman, The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System
Investiture
John Sharp | Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System
Inaugural Address
Walter V. Wendler | President, West Texas A&M University
*Benediction
Pastor Steve Olsen | First Baptist Church of Canyon
*Alma Mater
WTAMU Choir Members, Directed by Sean Pullen
“The Alma Mater of West Texas A&M University�
S. Elizabeth Davis
Recessional
Die Bankersangerlieder
Georg Daniel Speer
WTAMU Brass Quintet Platform Party and WTAMU faculty
You are cordially invited to the community reception to follow in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center lobby area. *Audience will please stand
COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND MUSICIANS INAUGURATION STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS Amy Andersen, Co-chair
Jessica Mallard
Tim Bynum, Co-chair
Oliver Malumba
Bill Ambrose
Puff Niegos
Royal Brantley
Plug Piehl
James Calvi
Tracee Post
Kimberly Cornelsen
Wade Shaffer
Lisa Hoff Davis
Becky Stogner
Jack Hildebrand
Ann Underwood
Chandler Huddleston
James Webb
Carol Lovelady
Megan Whitten
MUSICIANS Harrington String Quartet
WTAMU Brass Quintet
Rossitza Goza, violin
William Takacs, trumpet
Evgeny Zvonnikov, violin
Russell Teweleit, trumpet
Vesselin Todorov, viola
Guglielmo Manfredi, French horn
Emmanuel Lopez, cello
John Shanks, trombone Jeremy Lewis, tuba
REGENTS, MARSHALS AND MACE BEARER THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM Charles W. Schwartz, Chairman Elaine Mendoza, Vice Chairman Phil Adams Robert L. Albritton Anthony G. Buzbee Morris E. Foster Tim Leach Bill Mahomes Cliff Thomas Stephen F. Shuchart, Student Regent
FACULTY MARSHALS Royal R. Brantley Nabarun Ghosh Harry Hueston Emily Kinsky Mallory Vestal
BEARER OF THE UNIVERSITY MACE Syed Tariq Anwar
VICE PRESIDENTS AND DEANS Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences Dean Hawkins
Dean of the College of Business Neil Terry
Dean of the School of Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics Emily Hunt
Dean of the College of Education and Social Sciences Eddie Henderson
Dean of the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities Jessica Mallard
Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences J. Dirk Nelson
Vice President for Compliance and Research and Dean of the Graduate School Angela Spaulding
Vice President for Student Enrollment, Engagement and Success Michael Knox
Vice President for Business and Finance Randy Rikel
Vice President for Institutional Advancement Tim Bynum
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Wade Shaffer
INVESTITURE SYMBOLS The inauguration of a university president is a formal induction into office that is steeped in academic tradition. The ancient ceremony, which includes a processional and recessional of robed members of the faculty and special guests, reaffirms the heritage and roots of an institution. The ceremony is usually conducted during the new president’s first year in office. The investiture symbolizes the bestowing of power to the president when the University medallion is placed around his neck.
GONFALON A gonfalon is a banner that hangs from a crosspiece or frame to visually represent the characteristics of the organization or group that it precedes. Gonfalons, which originated in the republics of Italy as an ensign of state or office, have been adopted in many universities around the world as institutional or college insignias. West Texas A&M University has a University banner and six gonfalons for five colleges and one school that are carried in processions at commencement and other ceremonies. The banner was developed from a type of Roman cavalry flag which was a rectangular piece of cloth attached to a crossbar fastened to the head of a spear. This type of standard was eventually adopted by the Roman emperors and held a large flag of silk embroidered in gold. The banner in medieval times was a heraldic flag that indicated the presence of a monarch, prominent person or commander. Over the years, it has been adapted to represent a variety of institutions and normally bears the symbol of the institution.
UNIVERSITY MACE The West Texas A&M University Mace is a ceremonial symbol of office and authority. The symbol is derived from a weapon used in medieval times and was often carried by a bodyguard to protect a king or person of high status. The West Texas A&M University Mace is a 40-inch walnut staff with decorative silver crowns. A band of engraved sterling silver bears the name of the University and the state seal of Texas.
PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION The Presidential Medallion is the official symbol of the University’s Office of the President. The Presidential Medallion will be presented to Wendler by Chancellor Sharp to symbolize the bestowing of power entrusted to him by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The medallion is designed to be worn with academic regalia at all official University programs.
ACADEMIC REGALIA The academic regalia, which consists of a cap, gown and hood, dates to the 12th Century European universities. Originally worn primarily for warmth by students and laymen, institutions of learning prescribed a gown of black for scholars during a time when laymen began wearing capes and breeches. Scholars also wore a hood draped down the back and a mortarboard cap shaped like the mortarboard of a master workman. In 1895, the Intercollegiate Commission of the United States produced a code that specified the design and color of academic regalia for American college and universities. The code specifies long pointed sleeves for a baccalaureate gown, oblong sleeves for a master’s gown and bell-shaped sleeves for a doctoral gown. Most academic gowns are black, but some universities have specified special regalia for the doctoral gown. The central colors on the hood represent the colors of the school from which the wearer graduated. The velvet border of the hood may represent either the designated color of the degree or the color of the field of study. In earlier years dark blue was characteristic of all doctoral degrees regardless of field, but the current trend is for the color of the hood’s border to represent the field of study.
ALMA MATER Over boundless reach of prairie, Over rolling plains, Over cliff and crag and canyon, Alma Mater reigns! To maroon and white, our colors, We would faithful be— Hearts as bold as western breezes, Souls as pure and free! Round thy image, Alma Mater, Hallowed memories twine; Bless the sacred ties of friendship Pledged before thy shrine. Alma Mater! Alma Mater! We will faithful be; Through the years that lie before us We’ll remember thee!