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. Smithee Price ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2540 was adopted by the House on May 29, 2023, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House