WC NEWS

Representatives from Huckabee architects presented a draft design for the new student union building at the Weatherford College Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday.  

The five-story building will consist of approximately 116,000 square feet and include a new welcome center; advising, enrollment and financial aid offices; student, staff and community dinning spaces; a wellness and veterans center; a student game room; new testing center; faculty and staff offices; multiple meeting rooms of various sizes; a new board room; and a large multiuse space with enough room to host 500 guests for dining.  

With the footprint of the building determined, the next step is to select materials and finishes.  

The project is projected to break ground in January 2026 with completion in the summer of 2027.  

"We’ve been very pleased with Imperial and Huckabee,” said WC President Tod Allen Farmer about the builder and architect of both the Emerging Technologies and Workforce Building as well as Vickie and Jerry Durant Hall. “Twice over you’ve been on time and under budget, and that’s what we look forward to in this next build—on time and under budget.”  

In other business, the board:  

• Approved the minutes of the April 10 meeting.  

• Approved the financial reports ending April 30.  

• Approved a contract quote from Dell Technologies for faculty and staff computers.  

• Approved a contract from Ford Audio Video Systems for smart classrooms.  

• Approved a contract for CCTV surveillance cameras and access control for gates for Coyote Village.  

• Approved a contract for power washing, seal coating and restriping.  

• Approved a contract for tree trimming and brush clearing of 33 acres.  

• Approved an interlocal contract with the Texas Department of Information Resources for shared services.  

• Approved the 2025-26 board meeting dates.  

• Received written reports from WC Wise County, academics and student services.  

• Received the preliminary 2025-26 budget report.  

• Received on-site Office of Civil Rights findings.  

  

In his president’s report, Farmer:  

• Recognized the success of Coyote athletics, including multiple national rankings, an upcoming berth at the College National Finals Rodeo, and WC’s repetitive hosting of regional and district tournaments.  

• Announced the completion of the 7th annual WC International Piano Competition, won by Huan-Ching Chou of Taiwan.  

• Announced the resignations of Tesa Stroud, vocational nursing instructor; Melanie Parker, assistant director of purchasing; Arren Garrett, audio visual technician; and Philip Mathew, department chair for business and behavioral science/director of organizational leadership.  

• Announced the retirements of Stacy Wilkins, administrative assistant, and Duane Durrett, dean of fine arts and library services.  

• Provided an enrollment report for summer and fall. With registration ongoing, enrollment for Summer 2025 is 1,932, a 14.86 percent increase year-to-date, and Fall 2025 sits at 1,930 students, a 28.5 percent increase year-to-date.