SNYDER— The Western Texas College Foundation recently awarded Inspire Program funds to two deserving departments this spring. The Foundation’s Inspire Program provides a straightforward method for Western Texas College faculty and staff to directly request funds for projects supporting education and cultural activities or campus improvements and development.

The Foundation awarded funds to Jennifer Evans, Director of Library Services. Evans’ project centers on the Western Texas College archives.

“In light of WTC’s 50^th Anniversary, we saw a real need to organize archive materials for easier access and reference,” noted Evans.

The archive project begins this summer with a portion of the funds marked to hire an Archives Assistant. The assistant’s duties include identifying and organizing photos, clippings, programs, and other archival materials. Some of the funds will go toward things like archival gloves, boxes, and shelving.

“The plan is to get the materials organized and identified this summer,” added Evans. “The next phase of the project is to create digital versions of archive materials for more accessibility.”

Another portion of the funds will underwrite a reception for the community where community members, faculty, and staff can come together to help identify people, events, and dates of photos and other materials.

“We do need the community’s help with some identification of photos and other items,” maintained Evans. “This project ultimately will benefit WTC Alumni, students, and the Snyder community.”

The Foundation also awarded funds to Geron Scates, Mass Communications professor and the radio station manager for WTC’s own KGWB, 91.1 F.M. Scates’ project focuses on introducing technology in the Learning Frameworks class (EDUC 1300), a course required for all students at WTC. After meeting with the Lead EDUC Instructor as well as the Dean of Instructional Affairs and the Dean of Technology and Information Security, the group decided Chromebooks would efficiently accomplish the goal.

“WTC students will benefit by having classroom access to technology with instructors on-hand to monitor progress,” declared Scates. “The Chromebooks will increase student success rates and digital classroom workspace for students.

The Western Texas College Foundation instituted the Inspire Program in the spring of 2016. Previous Inspire Program projects at WTC include new murals for the dining hall renovation, the purchase of an instructional 3-D printer, video equipment for science classes, a paneling system at The Coliseum for the Rodeo team, and a telescope for the Stars and Galaxy class among others.