As a Student, Dr. Ken Mattox Decided Choir Was Not for Him. More Than 50 Years Later, It’S Plain to See He Made the Right Choice
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As a student, Dr. Ken Mattox decided choir was not for him. More than 50 years later, it’s plain to see he made the right choice. Page 2 The President’s Pen WBU well positioned for difficult future in education he 2014-15 school year at Way- nation, and our pricing structure places land Baptist University is under- us in a strong competitive position in what Tway. It is hard to believe that the has become an increasingly dynamic and new semester is already upon us! Initial changing educational market. indicators are that this term will be a good Traditional resource streams are dimin- one for the WBU family. Every fall brings ishing in significance. new possibilities and opportunities, and In Washington, D.C., the reauthorization Dr. Paul Armes our faculty and staff are excited about the of the Higher Education Act promises to be President prospects of the coming semester. Way- a long and difficult struggle. Pell Grants, Wayland Baptist University land exists not only to teach our students awarded by the national government to about the wonderful world in which we students who demonstrate the greatest live, but to encourage and enable them to financial need, will be questioned and find their place in God’s plan for their life. examined and questioned again. All who serve at the university continue to In Texas, the new legislative session I firmly believe be thankful for God’s evident and obvious next year means another round of affirm- blessing upon this institution. ing and defending the importance of the “that Wayland Bap- I know you are aware that the face of Tuition Equalization Grant program. higher education in America is changing in The Baptist General Convention of tist University has significant and unprecedented ways. Texas will contribute fewer dollars to Way- There is a concerted effort to devalue land’s support during their next budget an incredibly bright the importance of a traditional liberal arts cycle. Giving to national and regional education such as that offered at Way- denominational associations, like the BGCT, future. Through- land. Business, industry, and institutional is in decline across the nation. With smaller leaders, however, still tell pollsters that offerings coming in, Texas Baptists will out her history, they want to employ individuals who have have fewer dollars to contribute to affiliated what a WBU education provides: a general ministries like Wayland. this university has knowledge base of a wide variety of sub- In spite of these challenges, I firmly jects (general education core curriculum); believe that Wayland Baptist University has found ways to adapt an ability to think critically; an under- an incredibly bright future. Throughout her standing of the importance of healthy and history, this university has found ways to whenever changes vibrant interpersonal relationships; and, adapt whenever changes are needed. From finally, a realization of the fact that the my perspective, we are remarkably creative are needed. world in which we live is now truly a global and nimble. We have discovered how to community. move forward in spite of challenges and Small private schools, especially those obstacles. I have unwavering confidence with elevated tuition rates, will face difficult in the folks with whom I work. These are “ and challenging times. One article I read individuals who are experts in their field estimated that a significant number of of knowledge, and they are committed to those schools will have to close their doors helping Wayland flourish. in the next 6 years because of declining This means that your support is very enrollment possibilities. For the second important to us. With fewer resources com- year in a row, Moody’s has rated the ing from outside sources, we must build economic outlook for the higher education and grow our internal—family—support. sector in America as “negative.” Wayland’s Thanks for all that you have done and all tuition is among the least expensive in the that you will do. FOOTPRINTS Volume 60, No. 2 Editorial Board Danny Andrews, BA’72 Publisher Jonathan Petty, BA’95, MA’09 Editor Alumni Officers Tyke Dipprey, BSOE’96 President Stacie Hardage, BBA’89 Vice President Danny Andrews, BA’72 Director, Alumni Development Kristen Reddoch, BA’12 Features Alumni Assistant Dr. Ken Mattox is influencing medical care and Executive Board 2 policy for Houston and the world Dr. Gary Abercrombie, BS’73 Kevin Carter, BBA’93 Rose Ann Chavez, BSOE’06 Amy Gray Conley never let being blind keep Brenda Gonzalez, BA’73 8 her from accomplishing her goals Mike Manchee, BS’94, MEd’97 Richard Miller, BS’87 Danny Murphree, BS’69 Virtual Campus grad named first female Daleyn Schwartz, AAS’85 12 chaplain in the National Guard Caren Smith, BA’92 Yolanda Vera, BA’83 Wayland grad is the first woman to Courtney Williams, BSIS’02 20 Danny Wrenn, BA’84 chair the WBU Board of Trustees FOOTPRINTS is published by the Association of Former Students at Wayland Baptist University. Also Inside No outside advertising is accepted. Wayland Baptist University is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Wayland is accredited by the 16 New Student Activities Coordinator Commission on Colleges of the Southern Associa- tion of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the 18 Jimmy Dean Museum going up associate, baccalaureate and master’s levels. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 24 Danny Andrews Homecoming preview for questions about the accreditation of Wayland Baptist University. Non-profit rate postage paid at 26 Sally Society makes renovations Lubbock, Texas 79404. Telephone (806) 291-3600. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to FOOTPRINTS, Wayland Baptist University, 1900 30 News Briefs West 7th St. 1291 437, Plainview, TX 79072. Wayland Baptist University does not discrimi- 34 Autumn Schaub defines ministry nate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex or national origin in administration of its policies, admission policies, scholarships and loan programs, 36 Class Notes athletic and other school administration. If you have any questions or comments about Footprints, e-mail Danny Andrews at [email protected], or Jonathan Petty at [email protected], or write to us in care of the Wayland Alumni Office. The Medicine Man Dr. Ken Mattox is going strong as Chief of Staff at Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston by JONATHAN PETTY DeBakey International Surgical Society, Director of Communications past president of the Houston Surgical Society and the Texas Surgical Society. sk Dr. Kenneth Mattox if he He has been listed in Best Doctors in plans to retire anytime soon America and Best Doctors in Houston. Aand his answer is simple: He has received several distinguished “Sure,” he says. “As soon as I don’t surgeon awards. enjoy going to work, I’ll just not go.” Dr. Mattox has served on the Board The 75-year-old world-renowned of Directors of the Rotary Club of Hous- surgeon is still going strong and shows ton, Doctors’ Club of Houston, American no signs of slowing. As Chief of Staff Association for the Surgery of Trauma, and Chief of Surgery at Ben Taub Southeast Texas Trauma Regional Ad- General Hospital in Houston, Dr. Mattox visory Council, the American College of has received numerous recognitions Surgeons Board of Governors and the and awards throughout the years. He John P. McGovern Museum for Health is a distinguished Service Professor of and Medical Science. He is currently the Micheal E. DeBakey Department of Vice President-Elect of the American Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. College of Surgeons. He is also an hon- He has been a visiting professor or orary member of the Royal College of consultant at more than 800 medical Surgeons of Thailand. schools, hospitals or health care sys- He has written more than 15 books, tems. He is a member of 30 profession- 600 scientific articles and “about 1,000 al organizations, is past president of the abstracts,” and has a ground breaking American Association for the Surgery surgical procedure named after him. He of Trauma, secretary-treasurer of the is well-versed in the politics of Medicare 2 footprints Dr. Kenneth Mattox is one of the most recognized surgeons in America with a worldwide reputation for innovation in trauma care. He has made significant contributions in trauma resuscitation, trauma systems, thoracic trauma, vas- cular injury, autotransfusion, complex abdominal trauma and multi-system Kenneth Mattox 1958 trauma. footprints 3 and Medicaid, and in the escalat- medical clinics in the aftermath of the life of Princess Di could have ing costs of healthcare and how it the Hurricane Katrina evacuations. been saved. is being affected by the Affordable Dr. Mattox reads constantly, likes And these are just a few of his Healthcare Act. to travel and enjoys simple accomplishments. He has worked things like dinner with Not bad for a kid from rural Ar- with politicians and friends at a quiet eatery. kansas who went to college because dignitaries, consulted He has thoroughly he wanted to sing. on the shooting of researched points of President Ronald interest such as the The Beginning Reagan, is on call JFK assassination Kenneth Mattox was born in every time a Pres- and the death of Prin- White Oak, Ark., in October of 1938. ident of the United cess Diana – and he Located about 19 miles from Ozark, States visits the can offer White Oak had a population of 15 Houston area, and a com- people. It had one school, one he set up the pelling teacher, one church where opinion congregants learned to on how sing using shaped notes in the hymnal.