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CANYON, Texas-West Texas A&M University's Department of Communicationwill host a special "HomeCOMMing" event featuring a brunch and recognition of a longtime University employee.

Rik Andersen, who graduated from WT in 1989 and served as the University photographer for more than 30 years, will be inducted into the Communication Hall of Fame.

The free event for alumni and current department students will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in various locations in the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex. The event is part of Homecoming Week celebrations at WT.

"The Hall of Fame and HomeCOMMing events reflect the very best of what we do in the Department of Communication," said Dr. Kristina Drumheller, professor of communication and associate dean for the Department of Communication and the Department of Art, Theatre and Dance in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. "These events help us not only highlight the amazing faculty, staff, and programs of the department, but they also shine a spotlight on what past and current students accomplish with the skills they gain while at WT."

This year's event will spotlight The Prairie News and Eternal Flame, WT's student-run news organization and magazine. Student staff members will assist throughout the event, offering alumni, students and friends an opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate the department's shared history.

"This year, we decided to feature WT journalism for our department Homecoming event," said Dr. Nancy García-Franken, associate professor of media communication. "So, this event will feature what we're doing in those two student organizations and provide an outlet for the students to showcase their work."

Andersen's contributions and lasting impact on the department also will be honored.

Andersen earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from WT and, as a student, worked as a photographer for The Prairie. In addition to shooting photos for the University since 1992, he has taught photography courses. In 2023, Rik and his wife, Dr. Amy Andersen, established the Mr. Louis F. and Dr. Amy Andersen Media Communication Scholarship to support future communication students.

"Rik epitomizes what it means to be part of the Communication Hall of Fame as one of our alumni who has come back to support our students as an instructor, mentor and donor for student scholarships," Drumheller said. "I personally have always appreciated his friendship and consistent support of anything he can do to help this department."

Andersen has won numerous honors, including multiple best-in-the-nation awards for his photography from College Sports Information Directors of America and the Admissions Marketing Report. WT recognized Andersen with WT's highest staff award, the Clarence E. Thompson Award, in 1999. Andersen retired as the university photographer in 2020, and then returned to WT in 2021 to work in Academic Digital Marketing.

Fostering strong relationships within the community is a part of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign's new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About the WT Department of Communication

The WT Department of Communication houses two undergraduate programs: Communication Studies and Media Communication, with three areas of emphasis in each program as well as the option to seek teacher certification in speech or journalism. The master's program offers two areas of emphasis: one in Communication and one in Media Management. Both can be completed online. For more information on the department, visit wtamu.edu/academics/college-fine-arts-humanities/department-communication/index.html.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest's finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men's and women's athletics programs.

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