Discovering Texas Tech
Bill Adling wasn't quite sure where he wanted to attend college, but he knew he didn't want to attend Texas A&M University like the rest of his friends. After flipping through a Texas Tech University catalog, he was intrigued by the architecture program, and it was decided. He was going to Texas Tech!
The first two years of the architecture program consisted of several art classes. This was all unfamiliar territory for Adling.
“I was totally green,” Adling said. “The first two years of architecture school, you take the same classes as art majors.”
At his high school in Cisco, Texas, art was not something made available.
“We didn't have drafting, we didn't have art or anything like that,” he said. “So, I'm here at Texas Tech, taking art classes with students who are majoring in art. I started at ground zero.”
Adling was up for the challenge and stuck with it. He went on to succeed in his art classes.
“I surprised myself,” he said. “I held my own and I passed all my art classes. In fact, I did pretty well in them.”
Many art classes later, Adling discovered an interest and a talent for art that he never knew he had.
Architecture Career
Adling is no stranger to Texas Tech. He has been working for Texas Tech since 1969 when he started as a part-time student worker in the Office of the Campus Planning Coordinator. After graduating with his degree in architecture, he was brought on full time.
In 1974, after becoming a registered architect in the state of Texas, he became a partner at Tisdel and Adling Architects and Engineers. The firm's first project was the Food Science Tower on the Texas Tech campus.
“The jobs that allowed us to form the firm were Texas Tech projects,” Adling said.
In 1983, he created his own firm, Adling Associates Architects, which he still has today. Adling also currently works as a part-time architect in the Operations Division.
A few of Adling's notable projects for Texas Tech include: The Texas Tech Law School Library Addition, Flint Avenue Parking garage, New Visitors Center at West Hall, Stangel/Murdough Dining Hall renovation, Merket Alumni Center, Bayer Plant Science West Building and the National Ranching Heritage Center North addition.
Finding Watercolor Painting
While his main focus was pen and ink drawing in college, Adling has since discovered his love for transparent watercolor.
“It's something I really enjoy doing,” he said. “It's kind of a release.”
In his free time, Adling enjoys painting greeting cards for friends and family. He has also shown his watercolor paintings at galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Designing the Operations Division Ornament
Each year, the Operations Division creates an ornament that is given to employees for the holidays. When Adling was approached with a request to design the 2022 ornament, he was happy to help. The vision was to create a watercolor painting of the Double T Bench and
Governor Preston Smith statue located in the Administration Building Courtyard. Using a drone image of the area as his guide, Adling first sketched out the design, then added
watercolor to bring the painting to life. Over 500 ornaments were produced and shared for all Operations Division employees to enjoy.