ALPINE – Seven graduate students at the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University have been selected to receive $34,000 in scholarships from five different sources, including the first ever Women in Conservation Science Scholarship from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF).

SCHOLARSHIP SOURCE                                                                                      STUDENT                       STUDENT’S HOMETOWN         

Women in Conservation Science Scholarship (TPWF)     Leanna (Lilly) Morin                   Hondo, Texas

Virginia Matthews Law Scholarship                                      Maya Ressler                              Grapevine, Texas

Franklin and Virginia Law Scholarship                                Leanna (Lilly) Morin                    Hondo, Texas

Desert Bighorn Council Memorial Scholarship                   Olivia Gray                                  San Antonio, Texas

West Texas Safari Club Scholarship                                      Daniel Wilcox                              Forney, Texas

West Texas Safari Club Scholarship                                      Olivia Gray                                  San Antonio, Texas

Dan L. Duncan Scholarship (Houston Safari Club)           Brooke Bowman                         Baytown, Texas

Dan L. Duncan Scholarship (Houston Safari Club)           Emily Card                                   St. Clair, Michigan

Dan L. Duncan Scholarship (Houston Safari Club)           Erin O’Connell                             Southern Pines, North Carolina

Dan L. Duncan Scholarship (Houston Safari Club)           Daniel Wilcox                              Forney, Texas

The Virginia Matthews Law and the Franklin and Virginia Law scholarships were established by the Law family to assist graduate students at the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University to further their education and help expand the knowledge of West Texas landowners, so they may become more effective stewards of their land. Other scholarship sources receive applications from across Texas.

“We are very proud of our students who have been selected for these extremely competitive scholarships,” said Dr. Louis Harveson, who is the Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., BRI Endowed Director and Regents’ Professor of Wildlife Management at Sul Ross State University. “Our students are working hard to finish up their degrees, and many take out loans as they work on their classwork and thesis projects. These scholarships are an investment in the future, and we are grateful for the support of these many fine organizations and donors.”

Since 2007, the Borderlands Research Institute has encouraged effective land stewardship of the Chihuahuan Desert. Housed at Sul Ross State University, the Borderlands Research Institute builds on a long-lasting partnership with private landowners, the university’s Range and Wildlife Program, and cooperating state, federal, and non-governmental organizations. Through research, education, and outreach, the Borderlands Research Institute is helping to conserve the last frontier of Texas and the Southwest.