Tate, Batys contribute to Trogdon House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 16, 2009

STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS—Long time Tarleton State University supporters, Col. Will Tate and Ben and Nellie Baty recently committed significant gifts to establish the Trogdon House Fund with the Tarleton Foundation. The fund will be used to pay for the purchase, replacement and repair of furnishings and fixtures for the Trogdon House.

“The Trogdon House is a visible, beautiful and emotional link to the past,” said Col. Tate. “It is remembered by the thousands of students who have passed in on the way to or from class, the dining hall or perhaps their dorm room or an event in Heritage Park.”

Col. Tate attended Tarleton from 1932 to 1935 when he graduated. While at Tarleton, he played basketball under Coach W. J. Wisdom. Tate played on the famous Tarleton teams of 1934 and 1935 winning 40 consecutive games. He entered active military service in 1940 and was one of the first to be selected to attend World War II officer candidate school. Tate commanded a company and battalion during operations in France, Holland and Germany. Commissioned into the U.S. Army in 1946, he served tours of duty in Germany, Korea and Okinawa. He retired in 1970 after 30 years of active military service. He served more than 10 of those years at the rank of Colonel.

Col. Tate has been a longstanding member of the Tarleton Alumni Association. He also has served on the board of directors of the Tarleton Foundation, Tarleton’s Capital Campaign for Excellence and Tarleton’s Centennial Capital Campaign for the Twenty-first Century. He has shown his allegiance to Tarleton through giving his valuable time and through monetary contributions. He was the first recipient of the Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree that was presented by Tarleton in December 2002.

Tate said the Trogdon House holds a special place in the hearts of students today and of yesteryear.

“Old timers, those of the 20s, 30s and 40s, associate the Trogdon House with Dean Davis, professors Charlie Hale, Dolly Glover and May Jones and the legendary Coach W. J. Wisdom,” he said. “To students of more recent vintage, the Trogdon House is likely to trigger memories of favorite professors, friends made while at Tarleton and happenings during student years.”

The Batys also attended Tarleton and have been involved in the life of the University for many years. While at Tarleton, Mr. Baty served as captain of the Cadet Corps and served as “F” Company Commander. He was a charter member of the Wainwright Rifles and served as Platoon Leader. After serving in the U.S. Army, Baty received his bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1957 from Texas A&M University. In 1957, he joined Shell Company, where he retired after 38 years of service.

Mr. Baty served for seven years on the Foundation board of directors — four of those on the executive board as secretary, vice president and president. His service was essential to the continuing growth of the Foundation endowment. He remains involved with the Foundation as a Board Member Emeritus.

Mrs. Baty also attended Tarleton. The couple have two children and five grandchildren.

According to Mr. Baty, “when Nellie and I were students at Tarleton from 1948 to 1950, the president’s home (Trogdon House) was a focal point for social activities for both students and members of the community,” He continued, “we are delighted to be a part of this project to renovate this facility to once again be the president’s home and serve the students, faculty, staff and the Stephenville community.”

Renovations of the Trogdon House are underway to transform the almost 90-year-old home into a residence for Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio and his wife, Lisette. Renovations are scheduled for completion in June 2010.

The downstairs will be restored for the president’s use for meetings, dinners, receptions and other official functions. Approximately 50 to 100 official events are expected to be hosted at the Trogdon House each year.

“Trogdon House is a symbol of Tarleton and a reminder of times past and good people,” Col. Tate said. “It should remain standing and in good repair for as long as there is a Tarleton.”

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