EDITORIAL

We Texans are known for our rugged individualism. From the “come and take it” mentality of our ancestors during the Texas Revolution, to the fierce defense of the Alamo by 180 Texans against thousands of Mexican soldiers, Texans are widely known and respected throughout the world. The Lone Star State produces citizens who are uniquely proud of both their ancestral heritage and of The Great State of Texas.

From 1836 until 1845, Texas was an independent nation. The Republic of Texas had its own army, a small navy, and its own Supreme Court. It also had the famed Texas Rangers. Founded in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin, the Texas Rangers were known far and wide as a group that the bad guys did not want to mess with. Texas ranching was even more difficult in the 1800s than it is today. Texans became known as fiercely independent individuals who you didn’t want to cross. The tenacious work ethic and toughness of early Texans framed the cultural norms that would much later help propel Texas to become one of the fastest-growing states in the modern United States of America.

Texas now has the 8th-largest economy in the world. The 2024-2025 gross domestic product of Texas surpassed $2.5 trillion, ranking it ahead of Russia, Italy, Canada, Spain, and most other nations. Over 50 Fortune 500 companies chose Texas to house their corporate headquarters. With a population now exceeding 31 million, Texas is consistently the fastest-growing or one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S. Texas also consistently leads the nation in job creation. The lack of a state income tax, the business-friendly culture, and the affordable cost of living all help drive economic development.

Within this high-growth atmosphere, Weatherford College remains the fastest-growing college in North Texas. Many other Texas higher education institutions benefit from the population and economic growth, and yet they are canceling programs and struggling with deficit budgets. What makes Weatherford College different?

One of the key differences at Weatherford College is our people. The indoctrinated Texan rugged individualism and strong work ethic helped make many of our generous donors very successful in their various chosen fields of endeavor. They know just how hard they had to work and the obstacles that they had to overcome to reach success. Many of these success stories are now generously endowing student scholarships in an effort to make the pathway to success a little easier for the next generation of successful Texans.

Whether providing words of encouragement, mentoring students, endowing scholarships, or leaving estate gifts, our WC stakeholders are making an even better Texas…one student at a time. Our people know that sometimes, even rugged individuals need a helping hand.