South Plains College names biology wing to honor David Etheredge

LEVELLAND – South Plains College recently unveiled the David R. Etheredge Wing in the Wilburn and Helen Wheeler Science Center on the Levelland campus. The wing's naming was part of a gift provided by SPC alumnus Bill Wheeler and his wife, Sandy, and the unveiling was held in a private ceremony.

Etheredge, a former professor of biology, retired from South Plains College after 35 years of service in December 2021, but prior to doing so, he was instrumental in the design and construction of the Science Center renovation project. Etheredge served as a liaison between faculty, staff, architects and the construction team. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler noted his genuine enthusiasm for the project as a transformative one that would benefit students, faculty, staff, and the greater Levelland and South Plains community.

Mr. Wheeler, a 1967 alumnus of SPC, said, "The naming was to commend the hard work and effort he invested. His dedicated effort really made the project go ‘over the top.’"

Born in Hobbs, N.M., Etheredge

 was raised on a cotton farm in Fisher County. His parents, Jackie and LaNelle Etheredge raised three boys: Randy, David and Todd Etheredge.

He graduated from Hobbs High School. He received his Associate of Arts degree from Western Texas College and his Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Angelo State University. He earned his Master of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Wildlife Management at Angelo State. He taught for one semester at Midland College as a lab instructor before joining the faculty at SPC.

Etheredge enjoys woodworking and ranching. He and his wife, Dr. Laura Graves, have three adult children: Dustin (Stacey) of Colorado, Brandon (Cheryl) of Caldwell and Brooke (Robert) Sport of San Angelo. They have seven grandchildren: Blake, Brock and Bowen Etheredge of Colorado; Olivia, Viviana and Wylie Etheredge of Caldwell; and Soren Sport of San Angelo.