PLAINVIEW, TX — Wayland Baptist University honored Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox Friday afternoon with the unveiling of a colorful exhibit in which memorabilia from his days at the university through his career as a world-renowned heart surgeon are displayed.
The physician was on the Plainview campus to keynote the Kenneth L. Mattox School of Mathematics and Sciences Awards Dinner, a part of Wayland’s Academic Excellence Week. Dr. Mattox and his wife, June, toured the new Mabee Laboratory Sciences Building and other campus facilities, and participated in the school’s Research Day activities.
At the unveiling ceremony in the lobby of the Moody Science Building, Dr. Mattox was introduced by Dr. Bobby Hall, president, who spoke of the trauma surgeon’s journey from 1956, when he came to the university with “aspirations to become a missionary”, through studying under acclaimed cardiothoracic surgeons Drs. Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley, to becoming the heart surgeon recognized as the authority on trauma care.
“Dr. Mattox enrolled in a zoology course and became fascinated by science,” Dr. Hall said. “Soon after, he officially changed his major to biology, and that began the first of many steps to him becoming a world-renowned heart surgeon.”
“His passion for medicine and medical efficiency has earned him countless awards,” the president continued. “He has written articles, papers, and books about protocol and procedures in medicine. He was always looking for a better way because that is the essence of good medicine.”
Mike Melcher, retired Wayland Advancement officer, shared remembrances of meeting Dr. Mattox before calling for the unveiling of the 16-by-10-foot display.
“It is my honor, Dr. Mattox, to bring you up here to thank you for all you have done for Wayland, for the future students of this university, and for us to be able to tell your story for years to come,” Melcher said as a drape was removed from the lighted display case filled with the surgeon’s college letter for choir, lab coat, surgical tools, books, and awards, among other memorabilia. Those present rose to their feet to applaud as the drape was pulled back.
In response, Dr. Mattox said, “Wow! Wow! I’m humbled because I feel more like a conductor of an orchestra or a coach of other people and my job is just to keep us on time and keep us winning.”
Recognizing his wife’s role in his success, Dr. Mattox said, “Life has been very good for us. June helped me through medical school without any debt. I am forever grateful. I could have never done this without her.”
Dr. Mattox said he “took the highest road I could find, the hardest road I could find. One of my rotations during my surgical residency was three months in Dr. DeBakey’s service, where you never left the hospital and rarely got any sleep. … I learned the value of hard work and that sleep is a bad habit.”
“When you have extreme ownership and are committed, you create those things that are good,” he said, addressing the science faculty. “All of the world’s problems and challenges are ahead of us, and I commend all of the contributors. All of you who teach are creating an environment where the future leaders of America are here. … Ask the right questions, go to the heart of danger, and find the solutions. Find that better way.”
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