Beierschmitt, Young Honored As WT’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni

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

CANYON, Texas - Two national leaders in energy and agriculture were honored Oct. 22 as West Texas A&M University's 2026 Distinguished Alumni.

Dr. Kelly Beierschmitt and Dr. Linda Cornette Young were celebrated at the Phoenix, part of WT's Homecoming 2026 celebrations.

"The achievements of Drs. Young and Beierschmitt remind us that the value of a WT education extends far beyond the boundaries of our campus," Dr. Neil Terry, interim WT president, said at the banquet. "Each has followed a distinctive path, but both have carried WT's values with them. Through their work and service, they have strengthened their professions, supported their communities, and brought great distinction to their alma mater."

Beierschmitt earned a bachelor's degree in engineering mathematics in 1987 from WT, then a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Texas Tech University. Today, he is president and general manager of PanTeXas Deterrence, which is the managing and operating contractor of the Pantex Plant.

Beierschmitt began his career at Pantex as a student intern. After earning his degrees, he rose through the ranks in the national security field to take on leadership roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

After a four-decade career, he returned to Pantex in 2024.

Under Beierschmitt's leadership, Pantex has opened a new research facility on WT's campus that houses about 15 members of Pantex's research- and-development group, with more than 7,500 square-feet dedicated to research and lab areas plus office space.

Beierschmitt said he is "humbled" to be selected as a 2026 Distinguished Alumnus.

"There are so many great people who have graduated from WT. I can go through a list of people I know who deserve this honor, so I'm very grateful for it," he said. "It'll be an interesting legacy for my grandkids. Maybe I can talk them into coming to WT. It will be great to see them follow in these footsteps."

Young earned a bachelor's and a master's in mathematics in 1974 and 1976 from WT, then a Ph.D. in statistics from Oklahoma State University. She recently retired as chief mathematical statistician and director of research and development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service. She is now a senior fellow at the National Institute for Statistical Sciences.

During her career with the USDA, Young pioneered innovations in agricultural and environmental statistics that impact food security and agricultural policy nationwide.

Prior to her service at USDA, she was a statistics professor at OSU, the University of Nebraska and the University of Florida. She has published four books and 120 journal articles over her career, and in 2018, she was given the Hall of Fame Award by OSU's College of Arts and Sciences. She is the granddaughter of James P. Cornette, WT's third president.

Young said the nomination was especially meaningful thanks to her long family connection to the University.

"My childhood was shaped by the WT campus-its museum, its pool, and Saturdays at the stadium," Young said. "To be recognized by the university my grandfather led and the alma mater of numerous other family members, honors not just my work, but my family's enduring love for this institution. I am profoundly grateful."

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given by the WT Alumni Association and has been given annually since 1970. In that time, 132 alumni have been honored, including this year's inductees. Each has gained distinction through their professional achievements in career or military service, leadership and impact in their communities, and support to WT.

Homecoming activities continue through Oct. 24. Highlights include:

• Hall of Champions: The newest inductees into the WT Athletic Hall of Champions will be celebrated at a 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23 reception in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center. Legacy Award recipients are Linda and Wayne Woodward. Inductees include Lauren Beville (volleyball), Norma Cunigan (track & field), Ashley Hardin (softball), Duane Joubert (football), Shanna McBroom (softball), Khiry Robinson (football), Abraham Seaneke (track & field) and Norman White (football). Tickets are $50. Call 806-651-1400.
• Pigskin Revue: The annual spirit rally for students will begin at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Alumni Banquet Hall.
• HomeCOMMing Brunch: The WT Department of Communication will host alumni at an event showcasing students' creative works in film, multimedia and storytelling. The event will run from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 24 in the foyer of the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex. RSVP here.
• Alumni Brunch: The Canyon/Amarillo WT Alumni chapter will host a complimentary brunch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 24 in Buffalo Courts Alumni Center in the heart of the WT campus. Attendees can pick up a free, WT-branded candy bag before the parade.
• Homecoming Parade: The "Lights! Camera! Buffs!"-themed parade will begin at 1 p.m. Oct. 24 and will follow a route from the First United Bank Center to the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex along Russell Long Boulevard. For entry information, call 806-651-2051. The parade-which will be hosted by NewsChannel 10's Ali Allison and Jayden Ramkissoon-will be broadcast on KFDA's MeTV (digital channel 10.4 and cable channel 127) and will stream on WT's home page and social media platforms and KFDA's NewsChannel 10 Plus streaming services.
• Party on 26th Street: Tailgating activities will begin immediately after the parade along 26th Street across from Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium on campus.
• WT Football: The Buffs will take on the Western New Mexico University Mustangs at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 in Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium. For tickets, visit gobuffsgo.com.

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University 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 about 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 65 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 41 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and three 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; WT offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

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