I hope this letter finds you ready to spend time with loved ones over the winter break. Before we kick off our shoes and put our legs up to relax, let’s take a moment to reflect on 2021.
What a year we have had navigating COVID-19 while delivering effective hands-on educational experiences, conducting regional and national research and hosting a myriad of service opportunities for youth, students, alumni, friends, community and industry partners! The spring semester included wearing of masks, social distancing and lots of sanitizer use! The semester culminated with Commencement in Buffalo Stadium and the transition to optional use of masks. Summer began to approach pre-COVID-19 activities with youth and adult programs and active summer school enrollment. Kudos to the faculty, staff and students for their many efforts to push forward with excellent educational experiences while keeping each other safe!
All of these activities were possible because of the great leadership from the TAMU System, President Walter Wendler and Provost Neil Terry who approved our plans to go forward with close to normal activities. Without their support, our students, research, and experiential learning activities would have been curtailed because of the fear of COVID-19. It is great to be at West Texas A&M University!
The summer and fall were used to complete the renovations of the Natural Sciences Building! This $4M project modernized teaching laboratories, replaced equipment, furniture and the roof. The plans for refreshing the lobby and common areas started with new murals adorning the south and east walls. Take time to come view the murals. They were a creative product of data from scientists in the Natural Science building in collaboration with the skills of faculty and students of the WT Art program!
Our students remained competitive at national competitions and more top students have decided to attend our college from across Texas and the nation. Our alumni and friends have continued to be generous in supporting our students, faculty and facilities. Scholarship numbers and amounts are at the highest levels ever, new Professorships and Chairs have been added, and donations to the Research Feedlot renovation and expansion are being received. 2021 has been a great year!
I remain truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Dean of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. The positive attitude, strong work ethic and can-do spirit continue to be an integral part of the fabric that makes people of the Panhandle strong and makes members of the WTAMU community resilient as we strive for excellence.
Looking forward to a wonderful, prosperous and uplifting 2022.
Enjoy the holidays and take time to experience the many wonders of our world.
Kevin Pond
