An open letter to Wayland Baptist University from alumni

The band and choir program is great for kids and needs to be kept and not dropped

I understand the financial burden, but that cannot be the only consideration for these faculty and students impacted.

don’t do it

I urge the Board and Dr. Hall to revisit their decision for multiple reasons. I agree that the alumni should be notified and given the chance to help finance the financial shortfall which must be behind this decision. I was not a music major but, nevertheless, the music department embraced and saved me at a very difficult time in my life. I have carried the teachings of the music department into my own church and have been a very active music leader there. I highly value the Christian education I gained at WBU; my growth as a successful lawyer and leader in my community can very much be traced back to the hands on involvement in my life by staff and professors, including in the music department. WBU is a bright light in a dark world. The music department holds up that light, from the call to worship to the benediction. This is a grave mistake. Please rethink your decision and it’s enormous ripple effect.

I was not a music major. I currently work with people who have Alzheimer’s disease. Music is a universal language. It doesn’t matter what you have forgotten, or what language you speak. Music gives people a voice. Someone in this program may be the vessel to give that voice. Please prayerfully consider the options of this petition.

Agree

There are ways to reform or reconfigure before cutting entire programs. Consolidate before cutting! You need to get the University an endowment before this happens again! No new programs. No extra facilities. No new purchases. There should be only one goal right now for the financial future of Wayland and that is create an endowment to fund the school’s mission. Perhaps then, someday, these programs can be reborn, reinvisioned.

For an institution that relies so heavily upon alumni for recruitment and fundraising efforts, this is an egregious error. There has been no proactive communication or transparency on the part of the University, nor have alumni been given the opportunity to help. This is not the way to honor the legacy we alumni have left at WBU. This is not the way to honor the tenure of Dr. Runnels or the decades of service the music faculty have dedicated to the university. The arts are essential to a liberal arts university—we should be investing in artistic programs, not eliminating them.

Diappointed in decisions made by Wayland's directors. I feel thèse décisions, will negatively impact our community,students, and facility.

Agreed

I don't agree with the way this whole situation was handled it could have been handled completely differently and breaks my heart that so many students are having to suffer the consequences and paying the price for the boards careless and inconsiderate actions

I appreciate this petition and agree that the middle of the year is NOT the time to do this to anyone.

I was a music Ed major at Wayland from 1985-1987. This is a terrible turn of events for current students and alumni. I’m sure there are others avenues to be taken besides cutting the all important music program!

5 years ago Featured

This Music program at Wayland has helped me in life. Being apart of the program has brought amazing people into my life and made me feel like family. Removing the program could hurt the ones who are enrolled in the music program because that's where they feel safe and welcomed!

Fine Arts is the heart of every university.

I knowntimes are hard. But God has always told usto fight through and hold on. You are not dooing that by closing thes 2 programs. Whoever made this decision sould be ashamed of yourselves. You are hurting so many people. I am discussed by your actions.

Hate to see this happen. I hope they will reconsider.

I am so blessed to have had Dr. Mosteller and Dr. Vandiver as teachers at Wayland. My band students have learned from Dr. Mosteller, Dr. Vandiver , and Dr. King. I have several current high school students who had intentions of joining the Wayland instrumental music family upon graduation. They are so sad to know that is no longer an option.

Wayland's administration has been a problem for many, many years. This just goes to show what we get in return for tuition increasing every year.

I love the music and theatre programs here at wayland I am so sad that they’ve been cut the music program is such a big part of this plainview campus !!! I hurt for all who have lost jobs and have had to switch majors or quit school due to the university having their program!!