West Texas A&M University (WT) in Canyon, Texas, has announced a $20 million gift from alumni Cheryl and Alex Fairly in support of a scholarly institute dedicated to the values of the Texas Panhandle region. 

The largest family gift in support of the university’s One West comprehensive fundraising campaign will be used to fund the Hill Institute, an interdisciplinary academy of researchers, teachers, and students to be funded strictly through private giving, as opposed to state resources. Named for Joseph A. Hill, the second president of WT, the institute is centered on the values of trust, family life, hard work, regard for others, personal responsibility, compatriotism and patriotism, virtue, faith, personal and civic loyalty, and rugged individualism.

Through the Fairly family gift, the institute will embed Hill Scholars—both faculty members and students—across campus. Ideas and insights generated by the Hill Scholars will be shared through regular publications and speaking engagements. 

“Whatever one thinks about them, or by whatever name they are called, I believe these values cut across every sector of our society,” said Alex Fairly. “They are instilled by a vigorously pursued faith life. They cannot be owned by a race or a political party. They are community and personal values, and they should be political and national values. They deserve careful consideration and study because our nation and the world are in desperate need of a rudder to guide us. Cheryl and I believe these values, when coupled with excellent teaching, will produce a different kind of nurse, engineer, teacher, musician, businessperson, rancher.” 

(Photo credit: J. Nguyen via Wikipedia)