CANYON, Texas — Five distinguished former West Texas A&M University faculty members recently were awarded emeritus status by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. 

“To earn emeritus status in higher education, one must demonstrate extraordinary contributions to a field of study and a steadfast commitment to the University and its mission,” said Dr. Neil Terry, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “It is a designation that further reinforces the legacy of an academic professional and their past, present and future role in championing the institution and students they serve.” 

Dr. Deborah A. Davenport, who retired in 2019 as a professor of nursing, was nominated by Dr. Heidi Taylor, former dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at WT. 

Taylor cited Davenport’s expertise in critical care and emergency room nursing. 

“For as long as I worked with Dr. Davenport, there was never a time that I wasn’t aware of numerous students who commented on how important she was to their learning and how inspirational and encouraging she was as a mentor and guide,” Taylor wrote. “Dr. Davenport was a valuable faculty colleague. … She exemplified the spirit of life-long learning and scholarship in nursing practice.” 

Dr. Ted A. DuBois, who retired in 2016 as a professor of music, was a longtime member of the WT Faculty Senate and former head of the music department. In 1998, Harry Haines retired as department head and DuBois filled the position on an interim basis. After the newly installed department head left after one semester, music faculty members were asked to set up a new search committee to find a replacement. 

“The faculty voted unanimously to hire Ted DuBois as the permanent department head,” Haines wrote in a nomination letter. “In my 45 years of work in education, I’ve never seen or heard of a stronger endorsement for a music administrator by his/her faculty. Ted DuBois was a superb music department head.” 

Dr. Karyn Friske, who retired in in 2021 as a professor of accounting, was nominated by Alice A. Upshaw, retired instructor of accounting. 

Friske was cited for her dedication to students, as well as her ability to share real-world experiences with them following her career as an accountant and auditor before joining the faculty—proving “that accounting is a practical, not just a theoretical, discipline,” Upshaw wrote. 

“One of her chief goals as an accountant and an academic was to equip students for the profession of accounting,” Upshaw wrote. “She did and does exemplify the highest standard of integrity and emphasized to her students its importance in the practice of accounting.” 

Dr. Harry R. Hueston, who retired in 2021 as a professor of criminal justice, was nominated by Dr. Keith Price, retired professor of criminal justice and sociology. 

Hueston taught in WT’s Department of Criminal Justice for 20 years. Previously, he retired as the Chief of Police from the University of Arizona in May 2000 after 30 years in law enforcement serving in various positions in Ohio, California, Arizona and the U.S. Army Military Police. 

Price cited Hueston’s significant research work and co-authorship of a book on terrorism as a professor, as well as his winning of the Magister Optimus Award in 2011, the highest honor bestowed on WT faculty members. 

“I could go on and on about why Professor Hueston deserves this honor,” Price wrote. “His reputation, however, is well known. … I can think of no one who is more deserving of this honor.” 

Dr. Darlene A. Pulliam, who retired in 2021 as a professor of accounting, was nominated by Dr. Anne Macy, WT’s Gene Edwards Professor of Finance. 

“Darlene was the research powerhouse of the accounting faculty,” Macy wrote. “From 1998 through 2021, she produced 56 referred journal articles, 99 invited articles, and 33 invited tax articles.  She also wrote exam manuals, tax manuals (and) two books. In teaching, Darlene singlehandedly ran the tax portion of the accounting curriculum. (Pulliam’s) significant contributions to WT and accounting warrant consideration for the honor of Professor Emeritus.” 

TAMUS regents approved WT’s slate of emeritus faculty members at its August meeting. 

Recruiting and retaining the best faculty is a key component of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World. 

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the five-year campaign — which publicly launched Sept. 23 — has raised more than $110 million.