Growth plan continues

The Weatherford College Board of Trustees approved the purchase and sale of property in their October meeting this past week that will eventually change the footprint of their Weatherford campus.  

The board approved the purchase of 11.51 acres on Martin Drive across from the Kingsley Building at a price of $3.25 million and another 2.5 acres on the corner of East Park and Sloan Street for $780,000, both to be paid from unrestricted reserve funds.  

To offset the cost of these purchases, the board also approved the sale of 45.6 acres of two non-contiguous tracks the college owns on the north side of BB Fielder Road between South Main Street and Tin Top Road.  

“Our truly remarkable enrollment growth as well as the addition of our now five bachelor’s degrees has convinced us at Weatherford College that it is an excellent time to offer for sale this incredible tract of land,” said Dan Carney, board president. “We have had so many inquiries on it already due to the prime location.  

“Additionally, the purchase of the new properties will allow WC to address many critical needs associated with the growth and success we’ve already achieved. These are such exciting times at WC.”  

In other business, the board:  

• Approved the minutes of the Sept. 12 meeting.  
• Approved the financial reports ending Sept. 30. 
• Approved the chief executive office reporting requirements.  
• Approved the disposal of obsolete and surplus items through e-waste recycling and online auction.  
• Approved the purchase and installation of cameras along the portion of Town Creek Hike and Bike Trail that runs through the WC campus.  
• Approved an amendment to the Coursedog software contract.  
• Approved the purchase of ProcessMaker software for transcript evaluation.  
• Approved the purchase of equipment for the nursing and EMS programs.  
• Approved a revision of the capitalization policy to reflect the state change as of Sept. 1.  
• Approved a change order to the Vickie and Jerry Durant Hall construction contract to include the demolition of the Mince Building. 
• Approved MOUs and agreements with state entities.  
• Approved a new student center fee of $250 per student per semester beginning in the Spring 2025 semester. The fee will be waived for students taking only dual credit courses.  
• Received written reports from WC Wise County, student services and academics including the following updates:  
• Under the leadership of Dr. Christi Cook, the Honors College has grown to serve 31 students to date. 
• Planning for the Medical Laboratory Technology AAS scheduled to open Fall 2025 has started.   
• The new Associate Degree Nursing and Vocational Nursing evening programs are at capacity and students are doing well.  This brings the number of health science evening programs to six with one more beginning in Spring 2026 at WC Wise County.  
• Received the annual access and affordability report.  
• Received the annual Clery Act campus safety and security report.  
• Listened to a presentation updating the board of the activities of WC’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society and National Society of Leadership and Success chapter.  

In his President’s Report, Dr. Tod Farmer:  

• Congratulated WC volleyball player Abby Morris on her National Offensive Player of the Week award from the National Junior College Athletic Association.  
• Congratulated Mason Stueve on his Men’s All-Around title at the Sul Ross State University Rodeo.  
• Announced the retirements of math instructor Grace Rothrock, acting financial aid director Terri Thompson and testing director Gwen Crabtree; and the resignation of financial aid clerk Ginger Shelnutt.