Board of Directors
Debbie Farnum '71, '94
Board President
District 6 | San Antonio, Austin, Waco and south Texas
Debbie worked in the meetings industry for over fourteen years following many years in the education field. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Masters of Education in Education from West Texas A&M University. As an educator, she taught in River Road ISD, Dumas ISD, Canyon ISD, and the Martin County School District (Stuart, FL) before moving to Austin in 2001. A chance encounter with a fellow graduate of WTAMU led to her being hired as the Meeting Planner for the Texas Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in 2001. In 2006 she moved to the Texas Association of School Boards, Inc., as Senior Meeting Planner and retired from TASB in April 2015.
Debbie is a member of Meeting Professionals International – Texas Hill Country Chapter (MPI THCC) and the Texas Society of Association Executives (TSAE). For MPI THCC she has served as VP of Finance and two terms as president (2008-2009 and 2016-2017) and on many chapter committees.
She earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2006. Debbie was the recipient of the MPI – Texas Hill Country Chapter Planner of the Year Award in 2007 and 2011. She also served on the MPI Global Professional Development Task Force in 2018-19.
She was an active 4-H leader in both Moore and Potter counties and served as president of the 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association of Texas in 1998-1999 after having been active in that association for many years. Debbie received the Texas 4-H Salute to Excellence Award in 1990.
Debbie and her husband, Bill, were married 49 years before his passing, and have two children and nine grandchildren. Debbie lives in South Austin and spends much of her time with her precious grandchildren, serving at her parish, traveling, and cooking.
Trevor Barnes, '06
President-Elect
District 2 | Lubbock, Abilene and surrounding areas
Trevor Barnes graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2006 with a degree in Criminal Justice - Policing. Trevor excelled while at WT in Residence Hall Association where he served as the President. He is an advocate for WT on a daily basis. "WT has lasting positive memories left with everyone that I come across that is an Alum. I believe WT Alumni Association is heading in the right direction with a positive progression, I'm excited to help in whatever way I can."
He became a police officer in 2006 and since 2013 has been serving as the Chief of Police for the City of Slaton where he was named “Man of the Year 2018.” Trevor enjoys building metal buildings, hunting, and fishing when off-duty.
Kerry Thomas ’82
At Large Member | Denver, Colorado
Kerry Thomas graduated from West Texas A&M in 1982. She is originally from Lubbock and chose WT because she wanted to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has practiced at Scott & White in Temple, Omaha, NE, and now Denver, all in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Kerry is very active in quality work and serves as the liaison between staff and families who have graduated from NICU and continually give back to the unit. She is currently involved with a NICU Wall of Hope project to inspire families who are experiencing the challenges of their NICU journey.
Kerry enjoys being active in the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Colorado Mountain Club, and anywhere her camera lens takes her. The Panhandle of Texas will always hold a special place in her heart, and she loved her years at WT. “I truly love young people and look forward to representing and encouraging those from Colorado to consider a collegiate education in Canyon, Texas!”
Travis Hager ’98
Past President
District 5 | Houston, Beaumont and east Texas
Travis Hager graduated from West Texas A&M in 1998 with an Ag Equine degree. He then moved to Florida where he attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and subsequently went to work for Jane's Defense, a company that collects and publishes information on everything in the world related to aviation and aerospace. Currently, Travis is one of the project managers (overseeing infrastructure) working on a collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, the city of Houston and a few other space-oriented companies.
His favorite memories of WT are about the friendships he made, many of whom he still considers good friends. While at WT, Travis was active in the Lambda Chi fraternity, and WT Horsemen's Association, served on the Homecoming Committee and more. Travis' love for WT is based on relationships and from it giving him a solid foundation to pursue his dreams. He says, "Dream big... this world is built on the minds of dreamers." In addition to classes and friends, Travis says WT was a time to figure out the importance of basics: building relationships, learning to study and organizing effectively.
Tim Bynum ‘05
At Large Member | Amarillo, Texas
Tim graduated from WT in 2005 with a BS degree in Agricultural Business & Economics. As of member of Phi Delta Theta and numerous other student organizations, he developed invaluable leadership skills through campus activities and was recognized as the Outstanding Student Organization President, WT Homecoming King and was a finalist for WT Man of the Year.
Passionate about education, Tim has spent his career helping others access the same kind of wonderful opportunities that he experienced at WT. After serving WT as both Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the WT Foundation, Bynum formed the non-profit advancement and management consulting firm, Bynum Philanthropic Consulting, LLC in 2018. Additionally, he serves as the Executive Director of Opportunity Plan, Inc., a non-profit educational scholarship and loan organization that awards in excess of $1M in college scholarships to area students annually.
His passion for education is evident in his volunteer leadership as well, being both a past president of the Amarillo Education Foundation and a founding board member of the Bushland Education Foundation.
Tim’s wife, Charlotte, is also a proud alumnus of WT. They and their 3 children, Cale, Cortlyn and Brittan reside in Bushland. They are members of Central Church of Christ in downtown Amarillo, where Tim serves as a Deacon.
Caryn Crutchfield ’94
District 3 | Midland, Odessa, west to El Paso, Texas
California native, Caryn , first learned of West Texas A&M University as a high school student while studying with Robert Krause, the Professor of Oboe at WTAMU, at the Interlochen Fine Arts Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. Caryn first visited WTAMU in January of 1990, and she immediately knew that WT was the place for her. While at WTAMU she obtained a Bachelor of Music (1994) and a Master of Music (1996) in Oboe Performance. Upon graduation, Caryn auditioned for the Midland-Odessa Symphony and became the principal oboist. She has remained in Midland since graduating from WT, and is in her twenty-fifth season with the Midland-Odessa Symphony. Caryn was privileged to be the guest soloist with the MOSC in 2012, and she will be the guest artist again in January, 2021. She has performed with numerous orchestras throughout Texas as a freelance musician, and has had the privilege to perform at the Texas Bandmasters’ Association with the WTAMU Director’s Band and the WTAMU Alumni Band. She performs regularly as a member of the West Texas Winds woodwind quintet and teaches at Bowie Fine Arts Elementary School, The University of Texas, Permian Basin, and the West Texas A&M Band Camp. She is married to Kevin, a physical therapist and violinist, and has three children.
Lisa Schmidt Johnson '01
At Large Member | Canyon, Texas
Lisa Schmidt Johnson is a well-known media personality based in the Texas Panhandle. She graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications/Broadcasting. During her time at WTAMU, Lisa was an active member of Zeta Tau Alpha, KWTS 91.1, Maroon Productions, and President's Ambassadors. She also served as a spokesperson for the University's partnership with the Warner Brothers affiliate "The WB," where she produced the promotional spots "The WB at WT," encouraging viewers to get involved with the University.
Lisa's passion for television production and journalism led her to begin her career at KVII-TV in Amarillo, Texas, where she worked as a producer, reporter, and anchor. Known for her feature segments "Neighbors" and "One Tank Trips," Lisa eventually made it to the anchor desk. A few years later, she served as the Creative Director for the ABC affiliate.
Looking to try a new career path, Lisa left "the biz" and became the Major Gifts Director for the Panhandle office of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. However, her love for television and journalism brought her back to KVII as an evening and eventually morning anchor.
Lisa's exceptional achievements in her field were recognized when she became the first female inducted into the WTAMU Communications Hall of Fame. As the television industry evolved, Lisa wanted a change, and she left television news once again to spend time with her two children. She started a subscription box business for women, "All the Things for You," which allowed her to channel her creativity.
However, Lisa soon missed the teamwork and storytelling aspects of her former career, and she decided to re-enter the workforce. She is currently the Director of District Communications for Canyon Independent School District, where she grew up, and her children currently attend. Her husband, Nick, is also a Panhandle native and a Buff alum who played basketball for WTAMU. Together, they enjoy the busy life of raising kids, working, and living in what Lisa calls "the greatest place on earth…minus the wind.” #GoBuffs
Stephen Jones, MBA ‘79
At Large Member | Flower Mound, Texas
Stephen earned his MBA in Finance from WTSU in 1979. He received his BS in Geology (Atmospheric Science) with Honors from Texas Tech in 1974. Stephen worked for Southwestern Public Service Company for 33 years before leaving to devote full-time effort to wind energy development, construction, and transportation. Stephen has a consulting business devoted to wind energy project route planning and site transportation management.
Stephen and his wife, Gloria ‘75, enjoy traveling, sharing a glass of wine, and volunteer work. They also support various scholarships at WTAMU including the endowed Kenneth and Christine Gibson Scholarship. Stephen has a strong desire to get the word out about WTAMU’s excellent academic opportunities and how affordable WTAMU is.
Wilson Lemieux ’14
District 1 | Amarillo, Canyon and Panhandle area
Wilson Lemieux graduated from WTAMU in 2014 with a degree in Mass Communication. During his time in school he played significant roles in several student organizations such as NBS, KWTS, One Sessions, Ad/PR Club, and the National Student Advertising Competition team. He is now the owner of a Video/film marketing firm named Lemieux Company focused on building better content and telling better stories for its clients. In 2017 Wilson and his wife, Heather, created the Lemieux Family "Slow and Steady" scholarship which is awarded to one Mass Communication Junior entering their Senior year who has proven their commitment to the WTAMU program as well as the craft of communication. “My intent in serving on this board is to work diligently to help recruit students to our fine school, raise a banner for alumni to pour into this university, and to prove to kids that come from the same circumstances with which I carried onto campus that anything is possible, and WTAMU can take you there.”
Donna Robinson Taylor ’77
At Large Member | Dallas, Texas
Donna Robinson Taylor began her undergraduate days at West Texas State University (A&M) in the Fall of 1973, and in May of 1977 graduated with a degree in Biology. She earned two Master’s degrees from Amberton University in Garland, Texas. Donna has been employed with Brookhaven College of the Dallas County Community College District for 35 Years in Biology Laboratory Management. She has served on numerous campus and district wide committees including Professional Support Staff and American Association of Women in Community College. Donna has been awarded Six Longevity Awards and is a DCCCD Leadership Graduate. Donna holds active membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dallas Alumnae Chapter and in the National Association of Parliamentarians. Donna is married to Calvin Taylor of Lancaster, Texas and they are the proud parents of one adult daughter, Caldonnaye. The family are members of the St. Paul Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.
Reverend Dr. Dewey D. “Buddy” Wheat, Jr., DMin.
At Large Member | Gatesville, Texas
Buddy was born in the Rio Grande Valley, raised in Texas, and calls Pampa, Texas his hometown. While attending WT State University, he was a four-year member of the Buff Band, Kappa Kappa, Psi, and Scabbard & Blade. Graduating as a Distinguished Military Student in 1973 he was commissioned into the Field Artillery of the Regular Army and served until retirement in 2003 with the rank of Colonel. He is a decorated veteran of three combat tours (South Lebanon, 1984; Desert Storm, 1991; Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, 2002). He also shares the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize with other peacekeepers for his service as an unarmed observer in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (Palestine) while serving on the Golan Heights, Israel and Tyre, South Lebanon.
After retirement, Buddy accepted God’s call to the ministry and attended Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as a Presbyterian. Graduating with honors, he was ordained and installed to two rural churches in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. In 2010, he returned to Texas after 37 years and is currently the pastor of The Presbyterian Church, Gatesville, Texas. He received his Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston, Massachusetts, May 2015.
In May 1999, Buddy was designated a “Distinguished Alumnus” of WT. He was nominated by Evelyn and Weldon “Bird Dog” Trice (his high school vice principal and Dean of Men at WT) and introduced by Dr. Gary Garner. In October 2002, he was inducted into the Pampa High School “Hall of Fame”. In 2019, he was made an honorary member of the Texas A&M Chancellor’s Century Council.
Buddy has always supported WT since his graduation and has sponsored several students attending WT. He and his wife of 49 years, Gayle Miller Wheat (BMEd, WT ’73) have been members of the Alumni Association for many years (White Buffalo and Phoenix Club). He also has lifetime memberships in the U.S. Army War College Association, Military Officers Association of America, 82d Airborne Division Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, A.A.&F.M. (Gatesville Lodge No.197), Scottish Rite (Waco Consistory), and the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ).
In 2015, the Wheats relocated just north of Gatesville to their small ranch, “Morning Star”, with their horses, therapy dogs, and “Beauford” (his buffalo yard sculpture). Presently, he has no plans of retiring from the ministry. Buddy is honored to be a member of the Board and is looking forward to assisting in getting the word out about WT. GO BUFFS!!!