WTAMU to Host Old Main Society Induction Ceremony

"The West Texas A&M University Foundation will host its annual Old Main Society induction ceremony and Pinnacle Award presentation Thursday, Aug. 9 on campus.

The Foundation will welcome new members and recognize rising members to the Old Main Society as well as honor Paul Engler as the 2018 Pinnacle Award recipient. The annual reception will begin at 6 p.m. in the Jack B. Kelly Student Center, Legacy Hall foyer, and an induction ceremony and recognition dinner follow in the JBK Legacy Hall.

The Old Main Society was established in 1998 to recognize individuals, organizations and corporations that have given lifetime contributions of $50,000 or more to support the students and mission of West Texas A&M University. Recognition levels are Supporter, $50,000-$99,999; Sustainer, $100,000-$249,999; Ambassador, $250,000-$499,999; Patron, $500,000-$999,999; Benefactor, $1 million-$4,999,999 and Visionary, $5 million or more.

Contributions from Old Main Society donors endow scholarships and provide financial assistance to students, enhance instructional programs, provide faculty development opportunities and awards for outstanding teaching as well as build and enhance campus facilities.

This year, the Old Main Society will induct and boost 35 members – the most at one time ever. The rising members in 2018 include:

• Paul and Virginia Engler Foundation – Visionary;

• Amarillo Economic Development Corporation – Visionary;

• Amarillo Area Foundation – Benefactor;

• Happy State Bank – Benefactor;

• Bill* and Helen Piehl and family – Benefactor;

• Dr. Johnny and Jana Trotter – Benefactor;

• Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. – Patron;

• Dr. Carl Johnson -- Patron;

• Xcel Energy – Patron;

• Scott D. Doores – Patron;

• Greater Texas Foundation – Ambassador;

• United Supermarkets Inc. – Ambassador;

• Velrick Wilson – Ambassador;

• Buffalo Council Inc. – Sustainer;

• Benny and Janice Eanes – Sustainer;

• Bob and Lanna Hatton – Sustainer;

• Jan Alcorn – Sustainer;

• John and Liz Mozola – Sustainer;

• Clay and Kim Teter – Sustainer;

The 2018 inductees include:

• Caviness Beef Packers – Ambassador;

• Pat and Valeri White – Ambassador;

• Dr. Gordon W. Davis – Sustainer;

• Jesse & Marjy Ehmer Dow – Sustainer;

• Texas Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company – Sustainer;

• Bobby and Janice Barker – Supporter;

• Dr. N. Andy Cole – Supporter;

• Lynn Elms – Supporter;

• Golden Spread Electric Coop Inc. – Supporter;

• Holiday Inn Express – Canyon – Supporter;

• Tom & Lorena Knight Education Trust – Supporter;

• Pak-A-Sak – Supporter;

• Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirit – Supporter;

• Mark and J’Lynn Wheeler – Supporter;

• Western Builders – Supporter;

• Zoetis – Supporter

The Foundation’s first Pinnacle Award was presented in 2005 to recognize an outstanding donor who not only supports the University financially but also gives of their time to promote WTAMU in the community. Through his time at the University, Paul Engler has demonstrated the generosity of pinnacle giving through the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation.

Engler and the Engler Foundation are longtime supporters of WTAMU and gave the largest gift ever received by the University of $1 million per year for 80 years in 2017. Two colleges were named in this honor – the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences and the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, where Engler served as executive in residence in 2011.

A Nebraska native, Engler owned his first head of cattle at age 12 and later studied agriculture at the University of Nebraska. He became the founder of the Hereford Feedyard in 1960 and then head of the carcass division at the Iowa Beef Producers in Dakota City before founding Cactus Feeders, Inc. – one of the biggest cattle-feeding operations in the world. The company is also responsible for the first-ever Employee Stock Ownership Plan created to give employees opportunity to become owners. Engler is the recipient of many awards relating to business and philanthropy. His leadership in the Texas Panhandle extends beyond the cattle industry and empowers WTAMU students with support. Generosity like this demonstrates confidence in the University and contributes to the climbing prominence and timeless spirit of giving at WTAMU."

-West Texas A&M University