Canyon, Texas — Twenty-five of West Texas A&M University’s best and brightest spring graduates were recognized at a May 7 reception.
Students from the William H. and Joyce Attebury Honors Program celebrated their accomplishments and saluted their advisers during the reception in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center on WT’s Canyon campus.
“It is a true pleasure to recognize these scholars,” said Dr. Carolyn Baum, Attebury Honors director and assistant professor of communication. “These students come into the program seeking enrichment opportunities that will help them grow personally and professionally, share interesting ideas, and make connections that last a lifetime.”
The program was established in 2001 to provide an enriched learning community for some of WT’s best and brightest students.
The students have taken specially designed courses under faculty from across the University, completed a capstone project unique to their skills and majors, and displayed leadership in their respective disciplines, Baum said.
Those honored included:
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Tiffany Brunelle, a senior criminal justice major from Belcourt, North Dakota;
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Brynna Burnett, a senior psychology major from Roswell, New Mexico;
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Yahir Camacho, a senior Spanish major from Pampa;
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Kaelin Collar, a senior biology major from Gresham, Oregon;
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Isaac Doty, a senior sociology major from Lubbock;
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Chloe Hamaker, a senior agriculture media and communication major from Van Wert, Iowa;
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Sydney Larkin, a senior communication studies major from Amarillo;
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Kaitlyn Larson, a senior biology major from Wylie;
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Casen Lucas, a senior political science major from Wolfforth;
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Emma Maddy, a senior speech and hearing sciences major from Clovis, New Mexico;
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Robel Michael, a senior English major from Amarillo;
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Anna Ng, a senior biology major from Amarillo;
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Celina Pinela, a senior mechanical engineering from Bovina;
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Gracee Roberson, a senior animal science major from Sherman;
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Haley Rodriguez, a senior animal science major from Fritch;
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Ava Sealy, a senior environmental science major from Lovington, New Mexico;
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Faith Shagula, a senior management major from Lubbock;
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Maegan Story, a senior English major from Santa Fe, Texas;
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Paola Valle Almanza, a senior speech and hearing sciences major from Amarillo;
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Bethany Van Sleet, a senior speech and hearing sciences major from Sonora, California;
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Prairie Wild, a senior animal sciences major from Windom;
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Bricen Williams, a senior mechanical engineering major from Amarillo;
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Alea Wittler, a senior digital communication and media major from Vilas, Colorado;
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Danielle Ysasaga, a senior biology major from Amarillo; and
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Gabrielle Ysasaga, a senior biology major from Amarillo.
The graduating seniors will receive a special designation in the commencement program and a medallion at the May 16 and 17 commencement ceremonies in the First United Bank Center on the Canyon campus.
The program presented Dr. Mona Ozmaeian, assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering, with the Fanning the Flame Faculty Excellence Award, recognizing a faculty member who has “gone above and beyond to promote academic leadership, support student goals, and encourage student inquiry and critical thought.”
Attebury Honors students initially enroll in honors sections of core curriculum courses taught by honors faculty that encourage development of exceptional written and oral communication skills with expanded content.
After taking courses within their major, students enroll in upper-level interdisciplinary honors seminar courses, where they critically consider local and global issues both past and present. Students are mentored throughout their degree by honors faculty from across the institution and complete an honors capstone research project or experience that showcase their unique talents.
Honors students also receive peer mentoring, priority registration and support for engagement in research conferences, internships and study abroad, and live in an honors-only residence hall.
The Attebury Honors program currently includes 193 students.
Currently, 85 students come from the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, 17 from the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, 20 from the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, 20 from the College of Engineering, 28 from the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, and 23 from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
It was endowed in 2007 by William H. and Joyce Attebury.
The honors program is part of the rigorous educational environment laid out in the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.
That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $165 million.
About West Texas A&M University
WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.
