WT Senior Named Student Regent by Governor Abbott for Texas A&M University System

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University’s immediate past student body president is now representing more than 152,000 students around the state.

Annie Valicek, a senior agribusiness and economics major from Houston, was appointed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on June 1 as a student regent for The Texas A&M University System.

“I am elated for the opportunity to serve in this capacity for the 2023-2024 term. This appointment is a role that I do not take lightly, and I am encouraged by the hard work and tangible results from those who have served before me,” Valicek said. “I am eager to continue ensuring that we are striving for excellence in all that we do. The System is made complete by each campus and its respective areas of expertise, location, culture, and student population, and I intend to be intentional in my service to serve the needs of all. I am honored to serve and ready to work with tenacity.”

In 2005, the 79th Texas Legislature authorized the governor to appoint non-voting student regents to each university system’s board of regents. The chancellor of each university system recommends at least two students to the governor from applications submitted by participating universities. The Texas A&M System’s Board of Regents meets quarterly with special meetings arranged as needed.

“We are honored to have Ms. Valicek on the Board of Regents for The Texas A&M University System,” said Chancellor John Sharp. “Agribusiness is one for the core focuses for The Texas A&M University System, and I am sure Ms. Valicek will do an outstanding job of representing her fellow students’ interests.”

Valicek replaces former student regent Demetrius Harrell Jr., a criminal justice major from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

“On behalf of everyone at West Texas A&M University, we are proud to have Annie represent-* ing WT in this capacity,” said President Walter V. Wendler. “Annie did a tremendous job serving as student body president, and I am confident she will thrive as the TAMUS student regent.”

Valicek is the first WT student to serve as regent since Cassie Daniel in 2007-08.

Valicek also is a founding member of WT’s Collegiate Farm Bureau and is chair of career and personal development for Chi Omega sorority.

She has interned at Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC and American Farm Bureau Federation. She plans to attend law school after graduation.

In her spare time, she leads a church youth group and volunteers with Special Olympics.

Recruiting, rewarding and retaining the best students is a key component of the University’s longrange 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 campaign — which publicly launched in September 2021— has raised more than $125 million and will continue through 2025.

About The Texas A&M University System

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $7.2 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus, the Texas A&M System educates more than 152,000 students and makes more than 24 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. Systemwide, research and development expenditures exceed $1 billion and help drive the state’s economy. About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving

Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.