Support a Student

“I was the only person in my family to attend college. The music scholarship allowed me to consider a college degree. I started at WT with the goal of being a saxophonist and Band Director. WT offered me an opportunity that I would not have ever aspired to. Dr. Garner asked me to consider taking up the oboe. The scholarship covered my extra lessons and fees and I ended up playing all the woodwinds on my Senior Recital and secured a position at WT as Graduate Assistant and studying for my MA in Music on the Oboe. The Band Scholarship was the financial aid that allowed me to become a college professor, play in orchestras and become a Yamaha Performing Artist. This financial aid allows a student the opportunities he might not have otherwise.”

G. Richard Rath

WT Band (1962 – 1968)

“In high school, I liked marching in the band and getting to attend football games that I would not have been able to do otherwise. The same happened in college. It gave me an opportunity to participate and make friends. I belonged to Tau Beta Sigma and attended regularly. I still remember and communicate with many of the band members even though I was not a music major. Of course, getting acquainted with such a wonderful man as Gary Garner was a delight and privilege. I would not trade my experiences being associated with the WT band for anything.”

Donita Allred Rule

WT Band (1963 – 1967)

“I made the decision to attend West Texas State University in 1963, Dr. Gary Garner’s first year at WTSU. That decision turned out to be the most important and best decision of my life. My five years at West Texas allowed me to become the band director and educator I aspired to be, and were the most exciting, inspiring, challenging, and competitive years in my life! Whatever success I have achieved as a band director can be in large part due to my education and experiences at West Texas. None of this would have been possible without the help of several scholarships I was afforded at WT. The one program that really allowed me to attend was the Opportunity Plan. Today, my experiences with the Opportunity Plan and money management have allowed me and my wife, Cindy, to live debt free for the last twenty years. We owe so much to this great program and West Texas State University.”

Randy Vaughn

WT Band (1963 - 1968)

“I was part of WT’s band program all four years of college. Every year I was a recipient of a music scholarship, which allowed me to graduate with nominal debt. The WTAMU band program is a wonderful, supportive network that is unparalleled. The band program itself brings up memories of warm summer evenings with some of the best friends I have ever made, along with ample opportunities to perform and enrich others lives with live music via concerts and recruitment tours. Part of the support and opportunities that WT’s band program offers allowed me to venture to Nashville, TN, and I am forever grateful. WT’s band program doesn't stop at the band hall doors: the connections last a lifetime.”

Cicely McDowell

WT Band (2012 - 2016)