Thirty students at Sul Ross State University have been selected to receive a record $283,000 in scholarships from a variety of sources through the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI). The Borderlands Research Foundation supports BRI and, through fundraising efforts including the West Texas Conservationist of the Year Award and various endowments, helps provide significant scholarship support for BRI-affiliated students.
“Scholarship support makes a real difference for our students, allowing them to focus on their studies, their research and the field experience that is such an important part of their education,” said Dr. Louis A. Harveson, the Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., Endowed Director of BRI. “We are grateful to the Borderlands Research Foundation and to the organizations and donors who invest in these students. Their generosity is helping prepare the next generation of conservation professionals.”
Graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in BRI research programs experience unique opportunities to work side by side with wildlife professionals and conservation partners. These students receive hands-on experience with habitat restoration projects and working with wildlife, including grassland birds, pronghorn, mule deer and more.
Those who complete the graduate program receive a master’s in Range and Wildlife Management from Sul Ross State University. These graduates gain employment with state and federal resource agencies, as well as with private consultants and ranches and as educators. Currently, BRI graduates influence wildlife management decisions on more than 31 million acres in Texas, some 20 percent of the state’s acreage.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the following scholarships were awarded to two undergraduate students, 22 master’s students, and six PhD students.
BRF Scholarship
Emiliano Elizondo
Jesse Ellgren
Jake Gowdy
Christian Lewis
Bryce Mann
Chris Mott
Sean Neigut
John Polster
Will Quarles
Maggie Rector
Ryan Sewell
Hayley Shultz
Madison Vastine
BRI Scholarship
Emilie Brochon
Chloe Butler
Caitlin Camp-Pappas
Asia Cornelius
Andrew Dotray
Ty Goodwin
Matt Hewitt
Franklin and Virginia Law Endowed Scholarship
Halli Lovell
Linda and Curtis Neeley Scholarship (via Permian Basin Area Foundation)
Anna Guerrero
Maya Tinajero
San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship
Bryce Mann
Sean Neigut
Will Quarles
Maggie Rector
Virginia Matthews Law Endowed Scholarship
SJ Gilbert
Wayne & JoAnn Moore Endowed Scholarship
Luke Christensen
Kendall Christensen
Shelby duPerier
Autumn Cornell
Wes and Victoria Bannister Scholarship
Antonio Aguilar
Shefin Singh