SEASON 1, Ep. 11 Dr Walter Wendler, President, West Texas A&M University

Dr Walter Wendler, President of West Texas A&M University, discusses his work in academia and his role at West Texas A&M. He covers the importance of meeting students where they are and appreciating their value systems, representing minorities equitably in the university, putting the Texas Panhandle first, technology, mental health and community connections. 

Walter shares his journey from New York up to becoming a university president in Texas. He speaks of being an architect by profession, highlighting that there is no correct path to university presidency. He discusses his intentional focus on non-traditional students and regional emphasis as a core component of their institutional strategy. Walter emphasizes the importance of personal interactions on campus and his concerns about the erosion of such face-to-face interactions. He outlines a remarkable initiative where high school principals can recommend up to five students who they believe would be successful at the university, saying it enhances enrollment and fundraising. Walter goes on to highlight the worrying trend of declining student populations and encourages university administrators to get out of their offices and meet with interested people. The ultimate goal, he concludes, is to create a citizenry that contributes to a free society.

Dr Walter Wendler

Dr. Walter V. Wendler, a distinguished academic leader, has made significant contributions to higher education throughout his career. Originating from New York, Dr Wendler's educational journey began with an associate degree from the State University of New York at Farmingdale, followed by a bachelor’s degree in environmental design from Texas A&M University. He pursued further studies, earning a master’s degree in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Dr Wendler held various administrative and faculty roles at Texas A&M University before serving as chancellor of Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale, where he notably increased research productivity by 65 percent. Following his chancellorship, Wendler returned to teaching architecture and retired as director of the School of Architecture at SIU in 2015. Currently, he serves as the esteemed President of West Texas A&M University, continuing his legacy of transformative leadership in academia. He and his wife Mary are proud parents of two sons and grandparents to six grandchildren. Wendler's strategic vision and commitment to academic excellence have left a lasting impact on the institutions he has served. 

Read more on West Texas A&M website: https://www.wtamu.edu/about/administration/admin-bios/wendler-bio.html 

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