88R30688 BPG-D
By: Smithee H.R. No. 2540
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Dr. Walter V. Wendler has greatly benefited West
Texas A&M University through his accomplishments as president; and
WHEREAS, Appointed in 2016, Dr. Wendler has overseen the
expansion of programs and facilities across the university; he has
focused extensively on educating students about how to minimize
student loan debt, and he has launched initiatives to increase
transparency and knowledge regarding college costs; when he began
his tenure at WT, he made a point of personally visiting every high
school in the 26 Panhandle counties to raise awareness of the
advantages the university could give them; he writes extensively
and maintains a blog called "Reflections from WT"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Wendler brought to his position a wealth of
experience in higher education, both in the classroom and in
administrative roles; he began his academic career as an assistant
professor in the Department of Architecture at Louisiana State
University, and in 1988, he became executive associate dean in the
Texas A&M University College of Architecture; named head of the
Department of Architecture the following year, he later served as
dean of the College of Architecture; and
WHEREAS, In 1997, Dr. Wendler became executive assistant to
the president of Texas A&M; he then served for two years as vice
chancellor for planning, and he was also the inaugural holder of the
William M. Peña Professorship of Information Management in the
College of Architecture; appointed chancellor of Southern Illinois
University Carbondale in 2001, he completed his contract six years
later and returned to teaching architecture; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Northport, New York, Dr. Wendler holds an
associate's degree in applied science from the State University of
New York at Farmingdale, a bachelor's degree in environmental
design from Texas A&M University, a professional master of
architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley,
and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from The University
of Texas; a member of a number of honorary societies, he is a
retired registered architect and holds the National Council of
Architectural Registration Board's certificate; and
WHEREAS, Through his exceptional contributions as president
of West Texas A&M University, Walter Wendler has earned the
admiration and appreciation of people across the Panhandle; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Dr. Walter V. Wendler for his service as
president of West Texas A&M University and extend to him sincere
best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Wendler as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.