WT Opera Announces Endowed Fund for Productions, Graduate Assistants, More

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M University Opera announced a new endowed fund that will provide critical program support during its annual gala Jan. 24.

The James and Pamela Beckham Opera Endowment was established following a $50,000 gift in late 2024, said Sarah Beckham-Turner, WT Opera director and assistant professor of voice.

The gift was made by Beckham-Turner's father in his and his late wife's name.

"My mother, Pamela, died in 2019 during my first year teaching at WT, but she was so proud that I was back home in the Panhandle and proud of my work with WT Opera," Beckham-Turner said. "My dad is a huge supporter of WT Opera-not only one of our biggest donors, but always on hand to help build sets and shlep wine for galas.

"It means so much to me and my sister, Jamie, to have a family who not only believes in me and supports me, but also believes in and supports my precious students," Beckham-Turner said.

The Beckham endowment will provide program support for WT Opera, including for performances, travel, equipment and graduate assistantships.

"Endowed program funding is critical to WT's mission of building excellence in everything we do," said Keith Brown, major gifts officer. "The Beckham family is cementing their legacy of artistic support by providing sustainable, perpetuating funding that ensures WT Opera students will always have access to much-needed resources."

The Jan. 24 gala, "Divas and Disguises," honored Mila Gibson, founder of Amarillo Opera and a longtime advocate of the arts in the area, and featured performances by WT Opera students.

The WT Opera season will continue March 29 and 30 with "Albert Herring," a comic opera by Benjamin Britten, featuring Chamber Music Amarillo and the Harrington String Quartet.

The opera also will host its second Eric Barry Vocal Competition in the spring.

Fostering an appreciation of the arts and recruiting, retaining and rewarding the best students are both key components of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign's new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest's finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: An endowed fund in honor of James and the late Pamela Beckham will provide critical funding for West Texas A&M University Opera.

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