Geneva Schaeffer Education Building Officially Opens at WT

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

University's second-oldest classroom building now home to state-of-the-art technology, more

CANYON, Texas - The rebirth of a West Texas A&M University campus landmark was celebrated Jan. 22 with a ribbon-cutting event at the Geneva Schaeffer Education Building.

"The Geneva Schaeffer Education Building will be a centerpiece for the future of WT," President Walter V. Wendler said in prepared remarks. "At the heart of the Geneva Schaeffer Education Building is digital technology which wows and excites.

"More importantly," Wendler continued, "digital education holds the promise for WT educating more students, in new ways, in more places, through new technology."

Construction and remodeling began almost two years ago in a $40 million project.

WT pioneered distance instruction in 1997. Such innovation is key mission of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

"With the opening of the Geneva Schaeffer Education Building in 2026, we reinforce our efforts to be recognized as one of the leaders in education innovation-prepared for whatever changes the future brings," said Dr. Neil Terry, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, in prepared remarks.

The remodeled building supports two critical components of WT's academic mission: as a home to graduate programs and research, and as a hub for instructional technology and academic innovation, Terry said.

"Today, the Graduate School is centralized within this historic space, making services more accessible and integrated for graduate students," said Dr. Angela Spaulding, vice president of research and compliance and dean of the WT Graduate School. "Designed to support students both face-to-face and electronically, the building reflects the realities of balancing work, family and research."

Innovating for the future

In addition to providing a new, expanded home for the Graduate School, research and compliance services, and Education on Demand offices, the Geneva Schaeffer Education Building is home to a state-of-the-art instructional design space that will advance digital learning.

The building's new addition, which clad in matte black metal, houses Buffalo Vision: The Frontier of Learning. Built and designed by Igloo Vision, a shared immersive space company based in the United Kingdom, the room offers a near-360-degree virtual reality lab that users can experience without the need for a headset.

"The Geneva Schaeffer Education Building represents a fundamental shift in how we design teaching and learning at WT," said James Webb, vice president for information technology and chief information officer. "This state-of-the-art facility is a digital learning ecosystem that brings together extended reality, immersive visualization, instructional design and professional-grade production studios to empower faculty and create engaging, next-generation learning experiences for students, both on campus and through distance learning, advancing digital education from the Texas Panhandle to learners around the world."

On the south external wall of the addition is a LED video wall measuring 16.4 foot by 8.2 foot which will showcase faculty-built digital content, University promotional videos and more.

The building also will house nearly a dozen different studios that will provide WT faculty members and students with technologically advanced spaces to craft interactive learning experiences for distance learners. Three lightboard screens offer transparent, touch-screen TV monitors. Additional one-button studios offer a user-friendly recording environment. The building also will host several other production studios and two podcast studios, as well as The Hiro Anon Studio, a virtual reality and augmented reality lab for students.

"These studios allow our instructional design team to work with faculty members to lay out classes in ways that fully engage students," Webb said.

A 98-year journey

The Education Building, which was the second academic hall built on campus, officially opened Oct. 19, 1928. It originally housed a demonstration school, where education majors got hands-on training in teaching schoolchildren. That school was discontinued in May 1951, and classes for WT students were housed there until 1988.

In October 2021, the University announced that it was allotted $45 million from Senate Bill 52, part of a $3.35 billion allocation for capital projects at Texas higher education institutions. Additional funds from WT's allocation have been used on fire safety upgrades around campus.

The family of Geneva Schaeffer, including husband Stanley and their three children, made a $2.5 million naming gift to WT in February 2022 as part of a wide-ranging effort to bring the Education Building back to life.

Construction officially began in May 2024.

A legacy of support

"Mom had a lot of her college classes in the 'Old Ed' Building," said David Schaeffer, the Schaeffers' oldest son, in prepared remarks. "She always felt despair that the building went out of service. But while some of us thought it was a historic but derelict building that needed to be removed to make room for a new building or extended green space, Mom always knew this building deserved new life. She campaigned for it, she reminded us all that these old bones could still be used. Today starts the next life for these old bones."

Geneva Schaeffer attended the demonstration school through fifth grade, then transferred to Canyon schools, where she met Stanley Schaeffer and began a lifelong romance.

Dr. Geneva Schaeffer earned her bachelor's degree from WT in 1955, and in April 2016, she was bestowed an honorary doctorate of philosophy in WT's Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences. A public-school teacher for 17 years, she advocated for improvements and opportunities in education for decades and was a driving force in fundraising for the University.

Dr. Stanley Schaeffer, who also graduated from WT in 1955 and earned his MBA here in 1970, was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2021 from the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business. He was named a WT Distinguished Alumnus in 2004.

In 1987, Stanley Schaeffer joined with a small group of investors and Ray Bain to purchase First State Bank of Dimmitt, which became known as First United Bank in 1994. Today, the bank has expanded to 19 locations across 13 West Texas cities; Schaeffer currently serves as Director Emeritus.

Geneva and Stanley Schaeffer were the first winners of WT's Pinnacle Award in 2005 and were named Outstanding Philanthropists by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2006.

In 2010, she and her husband established the Dr. Geneva Schaeffer Professor of Education and Social Sciences to stimulate academic excellence and enhance scholarship, research and instruction for faculty in the College. The position currently is held by Dr. Betty Coneway.

The Schaeffers were married for 65 years before Geneva Schaeffer's death in 2016. Their three children - Jackie, David and Jerry - also share significant ties to WT.

Collectively, the Schaeffer family is among the most generous of WT's supporters. Their giving benefits students, faculty and programs across the campus, including the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, the College of Education and Social Sciences, Study Abroad, Athletics and more.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University celebrated the grand opening of the newly reopened Geneva Schaeffer Education Building on Jan. 22 following completion a $40 million remodeling project. Participants in the ribbon cutting included, from left, Mary Vivian Ivey, student body president; State Rep. John Smithee; WT President Walter V. Wendler; Jerry Schaeffer; Stanley Schaeffer; Jackie Schaeffer Byrnes; and David Schaeffer.

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