Board surprised by proposed Runaway Bay donation

The Weatherford College Board of Trustees made waves during its September meeting on Thursday, Sept. 13. From adding a new board member to hearing of a proposed multi-million dollar donation to construction and future land purchases, growth at WC isn’t slowing down anytime soon.   

Runaway Bay Golf Club and Resort donation 

Danielle Cocanougher and her father, Daniel Cocanougher, spoke during the open session, surprising the board with their intent to donate Runaway Bay Golf Club and Resort to the college.

The Cocanougher family purchased the 160-acre, 18-hole course in 2018. The proposed donation also includes approximately 80 residential lots and about five acres of potential commercial property adjacent to the course. 

“The possibility of donating to Weatherford College is very exciting to us,” Danielle said. “Of course, y’all have a campus in Wise County. Our family has a long history in Wise County.” 

Her grandfather founded the Cocanougher Feed Company, and her grandmother was a lifelong educator and elementary school teacher. 

“It really was her passion to help students and families in Wise County, and we try to continue that legacy,” Danielle said. 

She went on to explain how important the golf course is to the small town of Runaway Bay, and they want to make sure the next owners are dedicated to the community. 

Following an executive session, the board authorized President Tod Allen Farmer to work with the college’s external counsel to begin the process of accepting the donation offer from the Cocanougher family. 

New board member sworn in 

Mary Beth Dennie was sworn in as the newest member as the first order of official business. 

She is a lifelong resident of Weatherford and a WC alumnus. After completing her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Tarleton State University, she established a counseling practice in her hometown. 

Dennie fills the Place 1 vacancy left by the resignation of former board chair Mac Smith. The position will be on the May 2025 election ballot.

Construction and real estate 

The board also took the first steps toward the construction of a new student center and additional parking lots by authorizing Huckabee & Associates to proceed with architectural design services. 

Funding for this project will come from a new round of tuition revenue bonds. To begin funding the project before receipt of the bonds, the board also approved a resolution declaring the college’s intent to reimburse certain expenditures related to the project from the proceeds of the bonds. 

Following executive session, the board authorized Farmer to enter negotiations to purchase 11.5 acres on Martin Drive across from the Nan and Bob Kingsley Building and next to College Park Rehab and Care Center, as well as 2.5 acres on the corner of East Park Avenue and Sloan Street just west of the Alumni House.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the minutes from the Aug. 5, Aug. 8 and Aug. 22 meetings.
• Approved the financial reports ending Aug. 31.
• Approved the quarterly financial report.
• Approved TASB policy service update No. 47.
• Approved the renewal of services with HUB International Insurance Services.
• Approved bids for color and web printing services for the 2024-25 budget year.
• Approved a TIPS cooperative contract proposal from 1 Priority Environmental Services LLC for asbestos abatements and demolition services for the Carter Farmhouse and the newly acquired house at 1401 Sloan Street.
• Approved the renewal of the Ivy.ai, Inc. chatbot system.
• Approved bids for cosmetology supplies and equipment for the 2024-25 budget year.
• Approved the purchase of a 56-passenger bus from Motor Coach Industries, Inc.
• Received written reports from the Wise County campus, academics and student services.
• Heard a Workforce Education update from Merryl Carson, including data on grants, new programs, enrolment and completion numbers and community outreach. The presentation concluded with Dr. Bill Alexander and two of his students providing a robotics demonstration to the board.

In his President’s Report, Farmer:

• Recognized the ongoing success of Coyote volleyball.

• Announced the college will once again host the president of the University of Texas at Arlington in October to continue partnership discussions.
• Recognized the WC employees who, due to record enrollment, created additional class sections, added last minute faculty, dealt with a cafeteria line running out the door, and built an overflow parking lot the weekend before classes started.
• Announced the resignations of Elizabeth Endsley, social sciences instructor; Jared Stewart, social sciences department chair; and Heather Crites, Associate Degree Nursing instructor.
• Presented record-breaking enrollment figures. As of Monday, Sept. 9, WC had 6,602 students enrolled compared to 5,344 last year, a 23.5 percent increase. Additionally, non-credit workforce enrollment increased to 1,142 students, up 51.45 percent from this time last year.