$20 million gift by philanthropists Alex, Cheryl, and Caitlin Fairly inspires a new era of values-driven education at university

In a transformative moment for West Texas A&M University, philanthropists Alex and Cheryl Fairly have gifted $20 million—the largest family donation in the university’s history—to establish The Hill Institute, an academy dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders grounded in enduring values.

The Hill Institute, named in honor of Joseph A. Hill, WT’s legendary second president, is more than just a new academic center. It is a bold experiment in meaningful influence, aiming to weave the fabric of Panhandle, Texas, and American values into every aspect of campus life and scholarship.

The Institute aims to foster thoughtful reflection and spirited discussion around ten core principles: trust, family life and economic prosperity, hard work, regard for others, personal responsibility, patriotism, virtue, faith, loyalty, and rugged individualism.

But the Hill Institute is not content to simply discuss these values. Its vision is to make them a living, breathing part of the WT experience.

Through endowed faculty positions, research funding, and the Hill Scholars program, the institute invests in faculty and students who exemplify and explore these ideals. Premier speakers, public lectures, and publications will bring these conversations to the broader community, ensuring that the institute’s influence extends well beyond the university’s walls.

At its heart, The Hill Institute is about preparing students for lives of purpose, resilience, and civic engagement. “We want our graduates to leave here not just with a degree, but with a deep sense of responsibility—to themselves, their families, their communities, and their country,” says a university spokesperson.

As the institute launches, it stands as a model for how higher education can embrace regional heritage while shaping citizens ready to meet the challenges of a complex world.

With the Fairlys’ visionary support, West Texas A&M is poised to become a national leader in values-driven education, where meaningful influence is not just a phrase but a lived reality.