CC, WTAMU launch transfer partnership

The presidents of Clarendon College and West Texas A&M University signed a new partnership last Wednesday that streamlines the path to a four-year degree and creates many benefits for students at CC.

The “Destination WT” agreement provides greater educational opportunities and services for students transferring between Clarendon and other area colleges and WTAMU.

“Our flagship university in the Panhandle is and always was West Texas,” CC President Bill Auvenshine said during a ceremony at the Bairfield Activity Center. “Most of our transfers go to WT, and our do very well there. It is our pleasure to pledge our support to WT.”

WTAMU says 454 of their current students identify themselves with a connection to Clarendon College. A total of 120 former CC students graduated from WT last year, and 123 are set to graduate this year.

WT President J. Patrick O’Brien said an educated population is the key to economic vitality in the region and said the new partnership will help local students who declare as freshmen their intent to transfer to West Texas A&M.

“This agreement will ease the transfer process,” O’Brien said. “They won’t have to apply for admission, and we will waive the application process and fees.”

Additionally, Clarendon College students who are destined for WT will be allowed to participate in selected WT student activities without cost; and upon transfer, will receive a $1,000 scholarship. If the Clarendon College student is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor fraternity, the scholarship is increased to $1,500.

“It is a win-win situation, and we are tickled to death about it,” O’Brien said.

Students will be encouraged to earn an associate’s degree and/or as many transferable academic credits as possible before transferring to WTAMU. In turn, the partnership agreement will include a reverse transfer process where Clarendon College is able to award associate degrees to former students who earn the required credit at WTAMU.

At the center of “Destination WT” is a Transfer Plan for each student that outlines coursework for both the associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. The Transfer Plan will simplify degree requirements and help students obtain their degrees more quickly.

Academic advising help through coordinated efforts between WTAMU and the student’s respective community college will help ensure progression toward each degree.
O’Brien will sign similar agreements with Frank Phillips College in Borger on May 3 and with Amarillo College on May 6.

The “Destination WT” program is limited to students who have earned less than 25 transferable credit hours and are enrolled at Amarillo College, Clarendon College or Frank Phillips College. However, any student at these institutions may utilize the published Transfer Plans.

For more information about “Destination WT,” call the WTAMU Office of Admissions at 651-2020.