Erroll Wendland

A library is one of the vital repositories of a community’s knowledge. For a community to grow and prosper it must have a library equal to its hopes and aspirations.

While many know this, few have the vision and the fortitude to make certain that their community's future library needs are met. The City of Temple and its citizens are fortunate to have such a man living among them - someone who saw that Temple needed something better than what it had,- someone who would not take "No" for an answer; someone who set his personal goal at getting something better for his community.

Erroll Wendland, the 199.5 recipient of the Frank W. Mayborn Humanitarian Award, is that man. 'This Temple native took it upon himself to find a solution for Temple's problem of having a 2lst Century library.

According to the letter of nomination, Erroll Wendland "alone conceived the possibility of purchasing the NationsBank building as a new home for the Temple Public Library."

After sharing his idea with others, he enlisted their aid. According to the letter, in ensuing months Wendland invested "countless hours" amid endless energy" in pursuit of his dream.

Although at times the road was rough and the obstacles seemed insurmountable, Wendland never lost sight of the ultimate goal and what it Would mean for 'Temple.

Again quoting from the letter of nomination, "We know now that through Erroll's unyielding desire to make this project a reality, we were able to negotiate the purchase of the bank building at a very advantageous price."

In addition, the E.R. Carpenter Foundation stepped forward to offer a $1.5 million challenge grant to be used for purchasing the building. The Foundation of Temple Public Library had to raise $1 million locally to match the grant. Enlisting the aid of Ralph Wilson Jr. as campaign chairman that obstacle was soon overcome.

A total of more than $3.8 million has been raised including the Carpenter grant and a $300,000 Texas Library Grant. Those funds will be used to help prepare the building for its next life as a library and to purchase equipment.

Certainly Erroll Wendland did not accomplish all of this alone and he would not claim to have done so, but his vision and inspiration served as the launching point for all that was to follow.

This fall has seen the movement toward Temple's new library continue as Wendland, acting as president of the Foundation, signed an agreement with the city to allow it to use the building.

If all goes according to plan, Temple residents should be able to enjoy and use their new library by next summer. And "what will Temple have to look forward to next year? Among other things, a state-of-the-art library featuring telecommunications and information systems equipment linking it with the Library of Congress and other information centers. Also there will be room to grow in a 60,000-square-foot facility compared to the current 16,000-square-foot library. In many ways it will be thanks to the determination of Erroll Wendland, the 1995 recipient of the Frank W. Mayborn Humanitarian Award.

Wendland, who recently retired as president and treasurer of Wendland Farm Products, is still active with church and charitable work as well as being managing partner of Wendco Properties, Wendland-Godbey Farms and Wendland Farm joint Ventures. He is also a trustee of Joe B. & Louise P. Cook Foundation.

Wendland graduated from Temple High School in 1946. He then earned a B.B.A. in Finance and Marketing and an M.B.A. in Administrative Management from Southern Methodist University before serving in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was discharged with the rank of captain.

Although his most recent civic work has been with the library, Wendland has been active in community and humanitarian affairs throughout his adult life.

For his past work Wendland was honored by the Temple Jaycees in 1985 as the Outstanding Citizen of Temple and in 1995 the Friends of the Temple Public Library awarded him with their "Best Friend" award.

Among his activities in Temple he has been either president or served on the board of the following: King's Daughters Hospital; Temple Council of Camp Fire Girls; Temple Community Concert Association; United Fund of Temple; Cultural Activities Center; Central Texas Orchestral Society; Temple Chamber of Commerce; Temple Chapter, American Field Service; Friends of Temple Public Library; Foundation of Temple Public Library; and Temple Rotary Club.

His work with Rotary has included tenures as president of the Temple Rotary and as District Governor. For his work with Rotary he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow.

He has also been active in his church, First United Methodist, and on the boards of Wesleyan Homes and United Methodist Reporter Foundation.

Although he is recognized here today for his work on the Temple Public Library, Erroll Wendland's actions throughout the years have proven him to be a true humanitarian.

- - from award program Wednesday, November 29, 1995