Ashley Miller
Assistant Editor

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The WTAMU Alumni Association has recently acquired an interim director following the resignation of former director, J. Frank Kiker, in December.

Jennifer Ashley, senior development officer, was chosen to replace Kiker until a permanent replacement can be found.

Dr. Neil Weaver, vice president of institutional advancement, helped choose Ashley to serve as interim director.

“Jennifer is well-suited to the job,” Weaver said. “She happened to already be working on a couple of projects that related to the alumni association. She’s accustomed to being in public venues that include alumni.”

Thus far, Ashley has met the positions’ challenges well.

“This is probably the most fun job on campus,” Ashley said. “I get to meet the alumni and they all have different experiences and different reasons for reconnecting to WT.”

Her duties as interim director include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the alumni association, liaising with the board and ensuring that the alumni can reach out to the University.

“We’re conducting a nationwide search for a full time replacement,” Weaver said. “This position is important to the University and to the alumni.”

In the foreseeable future, cell phone tours will be added to several of the permanent exhibits.

Though standard cell phone rates still apply, no additional charge is needed for these tours.

Another new change at PPHM is the new associate director, Amy David.

David previously worked as the program coordinator for PPHM, but was chosen as the associate director for museum advancement.

In a recent news release, David said that she is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of the new position as PPHM continues to grow.

Her job duties include special event coordination, membership development and assisting with the implementation and coordination of fundraising activities.

The next upcoming exhibit, “Belles of the Ball” will open on Valentine’s Day.

“It will feature ball gowns used by the Amarillo Symphony Belles over the years,” Porter said.

PPHM Intern, Weiss, has been helping paint in the textile gallery to prepare for the Belles of the Ball exhibit.

“It’s rewarding to be able to show off your work,” Weiss said.

Another feature to take off in Feb. will be “Nights at the Museums.”

“Nights at the Museums” is designed to let parents have a night out while leaving the kids at a museum to enjoy dinner and various activities.

This event is open to children ages four through 11 and will take place every Friday in Feb.

Tickets cost $20 per night for the first child and $15 for additional children and registration and payment are due the Friday prior to each event.

In April, PPHM will be having another Gen Y Concert in the Derrick Room.

The big summer exhibit will be “The Great Search for Energy,” which will have a past, present, and future section, each with artifacts.

New and old energy sources will be represented along with an interactive computer programs that will explain energy usage and its ecological impact.

“We are gathering items that are made from petroleum byproducts,” Porter said. “It’s crazy how much is made with petroleum.”

With all the modifications and upcoming, innovative exhibits, the PPHM is still Texas’ largest history museum.