Dr. Dana R. West Will Receive Alumni Award
Wayland Baptist University will honor the educator during the October 23 Blue & Gold Awards Banquet in Plainview.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Administration
Wayland Baptist University will present the Pioneer Alumni Educator Award to Dr. Dana R. West on October 23, 2026. The ceremony is part of the school's upcoming Homecoming festivities.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes Wayland graduates for their long-term contributions to local communities through teaching and educational administration. It highlights the career achievements of alumni within the Texas school system.
Dr. West served a 33-year career in education, which included leading Amarillo ISD, an institution that serves 33,000 students and employs 5,000 staff members. The upcoming banquet is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
The players
Dr. Dana R. West
Dr. West is a veteran educator and Wayland Baptist University graduate who currently coaches and advises school leaders nationwide.
Wayland Baptist University
Located in Plainview, Texas, this private university provides undergraduate and graduate degrees and hosts annual homecoming events.
Amarillo ISD
This Texas public school district serves approximately 33,000 students and maintains a staff of 5,000 employees.
The details
Dr. West earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Wayland in 1989 before going on to hold a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education. Throughout her career, she served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, and she also acted as a Wayland adjunct professor from 1999 to 2015.
Timeline
Dr. West earned her bachelor's degree in 1989.
She served as a Wayland adjunct professor from 1999 to 2015.
Dr. West led Amarillo ISD from 2015 to 2019.
The Blue & Gold Awards Banquet will take place on October 23, 2026.
Culture Shift
The recognition reflects a broader societal movement to formalize the celebration of administrative leadership within public education systems. This award serves as a benchmark that elevates the profiles of career educators beyond the classroom setting.
For residents in the Plainview area, this event highlights the university's ongoing connection to professional leadership in Texas schools. Attendees of the banquet will be able to engage with the institution's tradition of recognizing long-term career contributions.
The takeaway
The selection of Dr. West underscores the importance of long-term commitment to public school administration. Educators can implement similar leadership strategies by focusing on the sustained mentorship of future school administrators.
What happens next
The university will announce the remaining three award winners during the banquet on October 23, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on institutional recognition, visit the Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC4 - Amarillo.
