The University’s history dates back to Jan. 14, 1909 when Rep. Thomas J. Barrett of Anson introduced House Bill 5 calling for the establishment of West Texas State Normal College. Barrett’s bill passed the House on Feb. 17 of that year and went to the Senate for passage. The potential location of West Texas State Normal College was attractive, and towns from Amarillo to San Angelo expressed interest in the school. The Texas senate decided to add an amendment to the bill requiring bidding towns to provide supplemental funds. The Senate passed the bill on March 4, and Gov. Tom Campbell signed the bill establishing West Texas State Normal College on March 31, 1909.
West Texas A&M University kicked off its Centennial Celebration on March 30, 2009 with an alumni gathering at Hill’s Café in Austin. The festivities continued on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at the Texas State Capitol with the reading of a resolution on the senate floor at 11 a.m., and the reading of a resolution on the house floor at 1:30 p.m. The WTAMU Centennial Celebration Reception at the Bob Bullock Texas State Historical Museum concluded the Austin events. Everyone is invited to join us for this year-long celebration. Please contact us for more information or follow us on the Alumni Twitter account.
