The Texas A&M University System said Friday, July 31 it has named an 11-member search advisory committee and retained Parker Executive Search to help identify the next president of West Texas A&M University.
Regent Randy Brooks will chair the committee, which includes Regent Sam Torn, Amarillo businessman Alex Fairly, outgoing state Rep. John Smithee and representatives of WT’s faculty, staff and student body, as well as other business, civic and community leaders from the Texas Panhandle.
The announcement was made after executive vice president and provost Neil Terry was named the university’s interim president by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Monday, July 27.
President Walter V. Wendler announced in June that he will retire Sept. 1 after 10 years as president. Terry will assume the interim leadership position Sept. 1 and does not intend to seek the permanent position.
A retirement reception for Wendler and his wife Mary will be held at the Jack B. Kelley Student Center’s Legacy Hall on the WT campus in Canyon on Aug. 13. Classes begin at the university Aug. 24.
“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.”
Parker Executive Search, a firm with extensive experience conducting leadership searches for colleges and universities, will assist the committee with candidate recruitment and evaluation throughout the national search.
The search advisory committee members are:
The committee will help recruit and evaluate candidates and make recommendations to the chancellor and the Board of Regents. Information about the position, including application and nomination procedures, will be released as the search progresses.
“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,” Chancellor Glenn 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.”
Kristina Wood is managing editor of the Amarillo Globe-News, whose coverage includes Amarillo and Canyon, and into the Texas Panhandle. Have a story idea? Send it in at newmedia@amarillo.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Texas A&M names search committee for next WT president
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News | USA TODAY Network
