America has argued about the legitimacy of public institutions for a long time. We like to pretend today’s quarrel over higher education is new, born of cable news, culture war skirmishes, or sticker shock on a tuition bill. It isn’t…
Taxpayers don’t fund a public university so it can admire itself. They fund it to produce educated citizens, capable workers, and moral adults, and people who can build lives, strengthen communities, and keep this state prosperous and free. That’s the deal. And…
Yes-Men/Women and Corporate Citizenship: Why Loyal Dissent Is Real Loyalty This reflection is the first in a series I wrote on corporate culture originally published Oct.–Nov. 2013 and has been slightly modified. And, by “corporate,” I don’t just mean business.…
Universities have become awfully creative in how they charge students. Not creative in the noble sense, creative in the “hide-the-ball” sense. We’ve built pricing systems so complex they can pass for tax law: tuition tiers, course fees, program premiums, “special”…
Seventh in a series on Public Higher Education. Frédéric Bastiat warned that when the law is bent from its rightful purpose, to protect life, liberty and property, it becomes an instrument of legal plunder. That phrase is sharp because the…
Sixth in a series on Public Higher Education. Frédéric Bastiat warned us plainly, that when the law is twisted from its proper purpose, society suffers a particular kind of moral injury. In The Law, he argued that the state exists to…
Adopted from May 2026 Commencement Speech. America turns 250 this year. That should mean celebration. But if all we do is throw fireworks and post flag photos, we’ll miss the point. Two hundred and fifty years doesn’t prove we’re perfect.…
Entrepreneurship is, inescapably, a human moral act to build, risk, serve, compete, employ, invent and persist. Done well, entrepreneurship expresses the best of American life: freedom, choice, agency, responsibility and dignity. Done poorly, it degenerates into something corrosive: manipulation, monopoly, rent-seeking and…
Dual credit, taking college courses while still in high school to count toward high school and college graduation, can be good for universities and students, but only when courses are rigorous, transferable and matched to a student’s readiness. Originally, dual credit…
Public, and I Mean Public, Higher Education: A Values-Driven Case for Mission, Trust and Renewal First in a series on Public Higher Education Public higher education is one of America’s greatest civic inventions, and it is at a crossroads. Costs…
West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, a community of roughly 16,000 souls, is about 17 miles from Amarillo, with a population of roughly 200,000. Within 150 miles of campus, the per‑capita income is about $29,000. Because the place WT serves is a…
Higher education has developed a dangerous fixation: scale without substance, prestige without purpose, reach without roots. Universities celebrate global rankings, digital expansion and abstract notions of “impact” while quietly drifting away from the very places that justify their existence. This…
Editor’s note: Grand Canyon University was a for-profit institution up until 2018, when it became a not-for-profit organization. University leadership does not have the luxury, or the option, of being anti-government. Public universities are part of the government. The shared…
Texas does not lack courage. Today, special bravery is needed. Regional public universities, key institutions that built rural Texas, are facing challenges from population decline, financial strain and growing skepticism about the importance of higher education. The temptation is to…
Fourth in a series on the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. The closure of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (PPHM) has sparked grief, anger and finger-pointing among some. Many want to know how one of the largest history museums in the nation, and…
The American higher education industry is in decline. Enrollment has decreased by nearly three million students over the past decade, public confidence is waning and costs keep rising faster than inflation. But beneath these trends lies a quieter, deeper, more…
Written February 9, 2015, not published and slightly modified here. In loco parentis, meaning “in the place of a parent,” indicates that an organization or institution can act in a child’s best interest in the absence of the child’s parents.…
Originally published in the Dallas Morning News on October 11, 2025. Universities once were built as places to pursue truth in its fullness. The medieval universitas joined science, philosophy and theology in one great search. Today, the vision of pursuing…
Americans are losing faith in higher education, and the data backs it up. A recent Gallup analysis shows the nation is now split, with just as many people expressing low confidence in colleges and universities as those who still believe…
A knowledgeable friend told me, “Texas is defined by its edges.” Even though the then State Representative Four Price’s comment referred to election results, it has resonated with me. The perimeter of Texas is 4,137 miles long, and the total…
West Texas A&M University’s Educator’s Excellence Initiative (EEI) serves primary and secondary educators in the Texas Panhandle. We believe our state’s future largely rests on the quality of educational opportunities available to all students. Anything WT can do to help…
As schools open nationwide, it is worth reflecting on the impact of a college education. The Free Academy of New York, eventually City College of New York (CCNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) were created to provide a…
Properly understood, conservatism is not an ideology, but a disposition oriented towards preserving cultural memory, moral order and society’s inherited institutions. At its core lies the principle of continuity: the belief that present generations are not self-originating but heirs to…
A university education is clearly a private benefit. The lifetime value of a college degree in increased earnings is inarguable. However, there are extended public benefits to locals with increased educational attainment. Higher levels of educational attainment are strongly…
Regional public campuses support arts and culture, enriching the lives of students and the surrounding community. These institutions often serve as cultural hubs, hosting galleries, theaters, concerts, lectures and festivals. These events expose students and residents to artistic and cultural…
Some excerpts have been modified from a 2016 WT 125 White Paper by Walter Wendler, Angela Spaulding and Eddie Henderson. West Texas A&M University (WTAMU, WT) prioritizes its role as a regional research university (RRU) by intentionally directing its…
Civic engagement, individual and collective actions aimed at addressing public opportunities and challenges, is fundamental to constitutional republics in healthy societies and is a key driver of personal, institutional and community growth. Within regional universities, civic engagement becomes a transformative…
All public universities, including regional institutions, play a vital role in workforce development by educating and training millions of professionals who are essential to the economy and the well-being of society. Regional public universities train millions of professionals—teachers, nurses, engineers…
Most elected officials in the United States, especially at the federal level (e.g., Congress and the Presidency), tend to graduate from a relatively small group of prestigious colleges and universities. Many top elected officials attended Ivy League institutions or other…
Regional universities are vital to our nation for several reasons, particularly in promoting localized economic development, enhancing social mobility and fostering community engagement. Regional universities matter. They provide a connection to higher education with greater geographical accessibility, serving students who…
Originally published over a decade ago in the Chicago Tribune (May 17, 2012), but updated here. Dear Graduating Senior, I am begging your pardon for a somber reflection amidst the joy of the near completion of high school, not to be a…
Tenth and final in a series on the Texas Triangles. Rural contributions significantly affect a state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), though the impact varies depending on the state’s economic structure and level of urbanization. Rural areas are often the backbone…
Ninth in a series on the Texas Triangles. Texas is two states. The Megaregion Triangle is defined by the area between DFW, Houston and San Antonio, which supports 66% of the population and is home to 53 Fortune 500 companies.…
Seventh in a series on the Texas Triangles. More than a campus, a catalyst. Location plays a significant role in college attendance. Post-secondary educational attainment levels are higher in Tom Green (Angelo State University), Lubbock (Texas Tech University), El Paso…
Sixth in a series on the Texas Triangles. Drawing lines from Dallas to San Antonio to Houston forms the Megaregion Triangle while connecting Amarillo to San Angelo to El Paso creates the Food, Fuel and Fiber Triangle. The two Texas…
Fifth in a series on the Texas Triangles (Co-Authored by Mark Bivins and Walter V. Wendler). Museums are important to all regions of our state, both densely and sparsely populated. They record our past, couple it to our present and,…
The Power of One Triangle Fourth in a series on the Texas Triangles. The Texas Panhandle is rich and complex, shaped by Native American cultures, Spanish explorers, frontier settlers, ranchers and the development of railroads and the oil industry. It…
Second in a series on the Texas Triangles. Water has been crucial in shaping U.S. culture, history and economic progress. Before European colonization, Native Americans relied on rivers, lakes and coastal waters for food, transportation and spiritual practices. Many settlements…
Originally published in the Dallas Morning News on March 18, 2025. Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law Texas SB17 in 2023, closing DEI offices at Texas universities. As colleges continue to adjust, we’ll see a rediscovery of our true calling.…
First in a series on the food, fuel and fiber triangle of Texas. My thoughts in the coming weeks will consider two important triangles in Texas: The “Food, Fuel and Fiber Triangle” defined by Amarillo, San Angelo and El Paso,…
This reflection was originally published on July 8, 2023. It is refreshed and worth another look. Large organizations can exploit size to create an economy of scale. It is, singularly, the best argument for bigness. This may be true when making…
Tenth and final in a series on rural universities. According to New Directions for Higher Education, rural universities face unique challenges and opportunities. In 2025, several trends will shape the landscape of colleges and universities in rural areas, and WT…
Ninth in a series on rural universities. Geography and culture in small communities play essential roles in shaping various traditions, practices and ways of life, according to Spatial Post. While culture seems to exist independently of place in some areas,…
Eighth in a series on rural universities. What follows is not intended to be a gloom and doom forecast. Rather, it is an honest analysis of what smaller, often rural, regional universities will face as the reality for those who…
Seventh in a series on rural universities Rural, regional colleges often cost less than metropolitan universities. Cost differences can be attributed to several factors. Rural regions typically have lower living costs than more densely populated metropolitan areas, and lower operational…
Sixth in a series on rural universities. Flexible learning models in universities are evolving to accommodate various student needs, work-life balance and advancements in technology, reports University Business. These models are transforming higher education to be more accessible and…
Fourth in a series on rural universities. Universities often partner with high schools to enhance educational opportunities, bridge gaps between secondary and higher education and prepare students for future academic challenges. Such partnerships are especially important in rural high schools…
Third in a series on rural universities Many states in our nation, particularly those with strong natural resource and agricultural economies, face a “two-state challenge” with two fundamentally different populations to serve in the state. Pew says the challenge exists…
Second in a series on rural universities Rural higher education faces unique challenges and opportunities. In 2025, several trends will shape the landscape of colleges and universities in rural areas, and in every aspect, WT will be responsive. Rural institutions,…
This reflection was originally published on December 15, 2008. It is refreshed and worth another look. Christmas memories are personal, deep and important to me. My family’s New York Christmases, with their strong, first generational influence of Western Europe; Cajun…
First in a series on Rural Universities. Rural regions of the United States make significant contributions to the economic well-being of the nation. Rural America is the backbone of U.S. agriculture. In 2023, the agriculture, food and related industries contributed…
As we approach the end of the year and the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on both personal challenges and the growth we see on our campus. While the world focuses on larger shifts, what matters is the progress…
WT will be updating the long-range plan WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World. The origins of the plan began in the fall of 2016 upon my arrival with the goal to cast a vision for what West Texas…
Penned a decade ago, modified slightly here. Too many universities accept unprepared students. Regardless of status — public, private non-profit or for-profit — motivation is suspect and results debilitating. Institutions know it, but bureaucracies need to be fed. Federally insured loans…
This essay was written on June 9, 2014, and is modified here. Universities and lenders must be more transparent regarding costs, opportunities and likelihoods of success for students. John Hutton, of the British Labor Party made this observation: “Greater personal choice,…
Penned a decade ago, still relevant, slightly modified here. Threats to higher education primarily come not from shady lenders, crass bankers and bureaucrats focused on turning government-subsidized, student-borrowed dollars into operating capital, nor from elected officials who seek to use…
This essay was written a decade ago and is modified here. The thoughts still have value in helping students plot productive futures. The higher education marketplace is special and unique and provides something unlike any other enterprise. But, it…
The excerpt is from a speech I gave on March 26, 2004, at a Naturalization Ceremony on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale recognizing the culmination of years of effort for many to become U.S. citizens. Naturalization is the process…
West Texas A&M University has set a goal to become the most homeschool-friendly University in Texas. Michelle Quirk, writing on the Psychology Today website, shared thoughts regarding the value of homeschooled settings for many students, including her children. She is…
Predatory gambling occurs when corporate gambling interests, sometimes coupled with government, exploit citizens and their communities. Universities are communities, and students are their primary citizens. Universities and the people that populate them recognize the deleterious impact of predatory gambling on…
A predicted “enrollment cliff” is on the horizon for higher education. The national birthrate is the lowest in recorded history. Fewer college-ready high school graduates are being produced, and fewer of those are enrolling. Reality coupled with skepticism regarding the…
Originally posted a decade ago. Worth another look. Leadership in any organization implies and requires transformation. Change in purposeful groups of people, large and small, creates discomfort. Organizational discomfort sometimes matures into a labyrinth of processes that stymie evolution in…
Written almost 15 years ago these points are still relevant. National economic growth requires education beyond high school. College, in the conventional sense, is not always the answer to a stronger economy. Neither the traditional 20th-century view of higher education from the…
Originally penned on July 8, 2015 this reflection reminds us of the impact that universities have on local economies. Little has changed since that time regarding these insights. Universities impact regional economies. In rural areas where economic diversity is scant,…
I frequently challenge public higher education. I am occasionally cynical. Even critical. Not today. The impact of public universities on economic progress varies widely by the specific institution, and the economic sector being considered. But, almost every university contributes to…
Originally posted on December 18, 2009, but given the nature of the times, it’s worth a look. Knife edges are the places where greatness lives in organizations. The sides of a knife don’t cut, but the well-whetted edge of a knife…
In 1959, when Vince Lombardi had his first team meeting with the Green Bay Packers as their new head coach, he said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” A culture of excellence is…
Thoughts from a Principled Conservative Outpost—Tenth and last in a series on the aspects of Panhandle conservativism. First, a principled conservative outpost values free thought. Free thought is not an intellectual straight-jacket of conforming to laws, rules, ideas, concepts or traditions without…
Thoughts from a Principled Conservative Outpost—Ninth in a series on the aspects of Panhandle conservativism. Some of what follows is post commentary found in The Hill Institute. Joseph A. Hill advocated for what has been called a “performance culture” within…
Thoughts from a Principled Conservative Outpost—Eighth in a series on the aspects of Panhandle conservativism. The place where people live makes an indelible impact on how and what people think. To borrow a line from Winston Churchill, “We shape our…
Thoughts from a Principled Conservative Outpost—Fifth in a series on the aspects of Panhandle conservativism. “Whiteface, Texas, is a small community located in Cochran County (sharing a border with New Mexico). Its neighbor, Sundown, Texas, is located in Hockley County.…
Thoughts from a Principled Conservative Outpost—Third in a series on the aspects of Panhandle conservativism. “Patton Springs ISD in Afton, Texas, had 96 students for the 2017-2018 school year. It is small. It is old—established in 1910, the same year…
Thoughts from a Principled Conservative Outpost—Second in a series on the aspects of Panhandle conservativism. “Early morning on September 24, 2019, in New Home, Texas, I watched with deep appreciation the order and discipline of students exiting a bus. Most…
Over the next few weeks, I will address aspects of Panhandle conservativism. Simpleminded definitions or broad abstractions fail and are devoid of context. Thought applied to action creates results: life lived with purpose and independence. First in a series on…
Sixth in a series on the culture of engagement. According to Gallup, a work environment that fosters personal responsibility requires a combination of strategies, cultural norms and structural elements. Rewarding and retaining people, a strong sense of personal responsibility, independence…
Fifth in a series on the culture of engagement. Encouraging people in any enterprise, public or private, profit or nonprofit, volunteer or professional, to maintain a healthy balance between their work engagements and personal lives leads to lower stress levels…
Fourth in a series on the culture of engagement. Acknowledging and rewarding the hard work, contributions and achievements of all associated with any enterprise is essential, according to Mike Robbins. Recognition can be in various forms, from verbal praise and…
Third in a series on the culture of engagement. A work environment where people feel respected and valued regardless of who they are, where they come from, their role or their viewpoints is important to create an engaged workplace culture.…
Creating a positive engaged working culture is crucial for the success and well-being of any organization. Trust and transparency should imbue all human interaction and both require open communication, honesty, integrity and a tolerance for risk-taking. People should feel confident…
Any organization that attempts to serve people in any way—A hospital, an automotive service center, a mom-and-pop candy shop or a big box behemoth, a family-owned bank, a public library, a doctor’s office, an automotive manufacturing facility like GM, a…
Students and parents have varied expectations of higher education. Some are brand new, others haven’t changed. Debt: There will continue to be increased emphasis on student indebtedness and over-borrowing for higher education. When combined, 44 million students are on the…
This reflection was originally published on December 15, 2008. It is refreshed and worth another look. Christmas memories are personal, deep and important to me. My family’s New York Christmases, with their strong, first generational influence of Western Europe; Cajun…
Flyover Country is where I live. This term is commonly used in the United States to refer to the central parts of our nation, especially the rural areas between the East and West coasts, you know, where all the “rednecks”…
When confronted with challenging times like ours, it is easy to lose heart, appreciation, gratefulness and admiration—in a word, thanksgiving—for the people and places we call home. Our University has been fortunate to have many distinguished leaders. One of those…
Changes instituted by leadership often cause stress within organizations. Change is unsettling and creates uncertainty, making people feel insecure about roles, responsibilities and the organization’s future. There may be concerns about new processes, technologies or structures that could alter job…
Veterans Day has a long and storied history, beginning in the U.S. in recognition of the conclusion of World War I. “The Great War” formally ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. However, fighting…
The term “alma mater” is used by thousands of graduates from universities worldwide to refer to the college or school they attended. Its meaning, derived from Latin, is translated as “nourishing mother.” The University of Bologna, founded over one millennium…
As students and families begin the annual search for universities next fall, I offer suggestions about what they might look for. Is the university accredited? What is its reputation? What programs and courses are offered? What is the cost, and…
Being involved and engaged helps create a sense of belonging and effectiveness. Students involved in student government learn effective skills that contribute to future success. We believe effectiveness is not just representing student views but understanding how a large organization,…
The American Association of Colleges and Universities defines inclusion as “the active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and in communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographical) with which individuals might connect in ways that increase…
After the Nazi Blitz and the destruction of the Commons Chamber, Winston Churchill insisted in 1943 that the chamber’s plan remain the same when rebuilding was complete. Churchill believed the chamber was responsible for the two-party system of the British…
Native Americans inhabited the Texas Panhandle and the high plains 11,000 years ago. For context, Holy Writ establishes Moses’ birthdate as the 13th century BCE just over 3,300 years ago, according to Jerome in the Chronicon. The Native Americans that…
The musical drama T E X A S is in its 57th summer season. The play attracts people from around our state, nation, and world since it began in 1965. “The Canyon” is the single most visited park in Texas.…
Over the past decade, several concerns have caused people to question the value of a college education. A New America study in 2022 revealed there are “lots of well-paying, stable jobs that people can find with only a high school…
The early part of the 21st century has rapidly shown us much about our changing world. It has taught us that the 20th century problem-solving models will not suffice in the new era. As a professor and leader at four…
A general, misbegotten perception that all universities are, or should be, alike pervades society. Nothing could be further from the truth. Such treatment diminishes the purpose of many universities. Rather, it is critically important to recognize different institutions have different…