Spotlight on our members
PLAINVIEW – Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox, renowned heart surgeon and longtime administrator at the Ben Taub Hospital in Houston, held the audience in rapt attention as he talked about the future of medicine and how well-prepared minds can always “find a better way.”
Mattox, a 1960 graduate of Wayland Baptist University, was on the Plainview campus Friday afternoon as the university officially named the Kenneth L. Mattox School of Mathematics and Sciences in his honor and broke ground on the Mabee Laboratory Sciences Building.
“There are many who are worthy, but none who could be more grateful of this honor,” Mattox said shortly after a tarp covering the new lettering on the science building was removed revealing the new name. “This is a wonderful day and it’s great to be part of it.”
Mattox provided the lead gift, and the Mabee Foundation provided a large portion of the funding for the new 9,600 square feet addition to the science building. The addition will contain two laboratory and lecture spaces, and a chemical stock room with a chemical preparation area. There will also be a large open room that will serve as an instrument lab and collaborative space for upper-level courses, as well as a dedicated laboratory for undergraduate research. Faculty offices, a large conference room that double as a classroom, and a commons area where student can gather to study or just hang out will complete the building.
“The building will be furnished with state-of-the-art equipment and instruments that will give our students an amazing opportunity to train in the best environment before pursuing their professional careers,” said Dr. Adam Reinhart, dean of the school.
Mike Goeke, the executive director of the Mabee Foundation, was also on hand for the groundbreaking and expressed his gratitude to the university for recognizing the foundation by putting its name on the new addition.
“We never ask for a building to be named after us, at least we don’t do that now,” Goeke joked as he referenced the Mabee Learning Resources Center just across the way from the groundbreaking. “We are very honored that Wayland has chosen to name this building after us and we are excited to see both the Mabee Foundation and Wayland Baptist University influence lives for many years to come.”
The Mabee Foundation is dedicated to helping Christian organizations dedicated to their mission of faith. Goeke said they are proud to partner with Wayland.
“We are honored to stand with Wayland as Wayland stands for the pursuit of knowledge, the pursuit of truth and the pursuit of faith,” Goeke said. “We are especially proud to be part of this groundbreaking, a science building that we believe will equip students to not separate science and faith, but to learn that science and faith work together and how science can actually help point the world to the truth of God and the hope of Christ.”
The university is now working with Sandia Construction on the planning stages of the addition. Officials hope to begin construction in late March or early April.
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In the Photo: Wayland Baptist University broke ground on a new addition to the science building and officially named the Kenneth L. Mattox School of Mathematics and Science for Dr. Kenneth Mattox, a 1960 graduate. Pictured are, from left, Lance Landusky and Michael Haverdink of Sandia Construction; WBU students Tejay Lozano and Elizabeth Wirth, WBU Board of Trustees President Rick Breeden, WBU President Dr. Bobby Hall, Mabee Foundation Executive Director Mike Goeke, Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox and his wife June, WBU development office Mike Melcher, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Science Dr. Adam Reinhart, WBU Students Araceli Torres and Carson Grawunder, Parkhill’s Brian Griggs and Amber Buscarello.