system regent Clyde H. Wells supported tarleton fine Arts

Named for a distinguished Tarleton alumnus and chairman of The Texas A&M Board of Regents, the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center was the most expensive building on the Stephenville campus when it opened to students in June 1980 at a cost of $7.5 million.

The building, which took almost three years to build, consolidated all of Tarleton’s Fine Arts classes in one facility, an 85,000 square foot structure featuring a theater, an auditorium, two workshop theaters, band and choir rehearsal halls, a half dozen music labs, three art design labs and an art gallery. Upon its completion the Center was immediately recognized as the largest, most modern theatrical complex within a 150-mile radius.

The facility’s namesake had supported the project from its inception.

“I am always amazed at the difference that some new facilities make in the quality of life for those who use them,” Wells said in a 1977 J-TAC story. “It’s not possible to measure the major impact of common-use facilities such as auditoriums, theaters, exhibit halls…The Texas A&M System has long been dedicated to providing a well-rounded education―for the ‘whole man.’ This project is consistent with that philosophy.”

Wells, a Stephenville native, was a Tarleton student in 1935-36, graduated from Texas A&M in 1938 and returned home to teach in 1942-43. He served as president of the Tarleton Ex-Students Association from 1952 to 1954.

His appointment to the Texas A&M Board initially came from Gov. Price Daniels in 1961. His tenure was extended in 1967 by Gov. John Connally, during which time he became board president, then again in 1973 by Gov. Preston Smith.

Under his watch in College Station, Tarleton also received substantial System aid to upgrade its college farm and added a horse program to the agriculture curriculum.