• by Steve Lang •
Katherine Mancha, San Antonio, and Santiago Castillo, San Benito, were named the 2019 Sul Ross State University Woman and Man of the Year at the annual Honors Convocation, held Monday (April 29) in Marshall Auditorium.
Sul Ross President Dr. Bill Kibler presented the awards. The Man and Woman of the Year award is the top honor Sul Ross seniors can receive.
Mancha, who will graduate May 17 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, was nominated for her scholarship, leadership and volunteerism. Her future plans include medical school.
“Katherine is one of those students who consistently remind us of why we love teaching,” her nomination stated. “She is empathetic, measured, discreet, warm, friendly, patient, and delightful to be around.
“(Mancha) also gives back to her community. She has worked numerous hours at the Alpine Humane Society as well as participating in teaching events for children, such as the CDRI’s (Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute) Reptile Fair and Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! Event….To continue the list of descriptors, she is dependable, pro-active and trustworthy. And she is smart. She will graduate with Honors and has been a McNair Scholar.”
In addition to excelling in the McNair and Honors programs, Mancha has maintained a 3.7 or higher grade point average each semester at Sul Ross and has served as a tutor at the Tutoring and Learning Center, including senior tutor during the current academic year. She is also a member of the Biology Club and Chemistry Club.
Castillo, who will graduate May 17 with Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting, has been active in the Student Government Association (SGA), presently serving as vice president and previously as treasurer. He has also served as treasurer of the Honors Club and Business Club and is a student affiliate member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
“Santiago…is fantastic in everything he does and shows great enthusiasm,” his nomination stated. “He is a hard working student, a great leader and courageous man.”
Castillo has been named to the Dean’s Lists for the past five completed semesters. He has been selected for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop, the Diamond Symposium hosted by the Dow Chemical Co. and for the KMPG PHD Project Conference.
The following departmental awards were also presented at the convocation.
Animal Science
Outstanding Student in Agricultural Education: Mikayla Lozano, Lampasas
Outstanding Student in Animal Production: Pamela Wright, Round Rock
Outstanding Student in Pre-Veterinary Medicine: Victoria Romo, El Paso
Outstanding Student in Science: Callie Czaja, Floresville
Outstanding Graduate Student: Burt Justin, Williston, SC
Athletics
Distinguished Scholar Athlete Awards – Fabian Baeza, Van Horn, Male Scholar Athlete Medal of Honor; Kelly Swenson, Austin, Female Scholar Athlete Medal of Honor; Kyela Cosby, North Zulch; Darrian Doederlein, Lamesa; Alexa Gallardo, El Paso; Taylor Gass, Gail; Alyssa Lanahan, El Paso; Michael Munden, El Paso; William Serrano, Pecos; Caleb Thomasson, Ackerly
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Clifford B. Casey Book Award: Tyler Phillips, Houston
Outstanding History Major – Phi Alpha Theta Award: Sarah Adams, Midland
Outstanding Political Science Student: Lindsey Hall-Schwegmann, Live Oak
Outstanding Psychology Student: Kaylee Plowman, Alpine
Biology, Geology and Physical Sciences
Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Biology: Mancha; Amy Oxenham, Alpine
Outstanding Graduate Student in Biology: Melissa Schenkman, Midland
Julius Dasch Memorial Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Geology: Erin Bittner, Dale
Lance Forsythe Memorial Outstanding Graduate in Geology: Corbin Carsrud, Alpine
Outstanding Student in Introductory Chemistry: Makayla Yantis, Monahans
James G. Houston Organic Chemistry Award: Jonathan Carrasco, Presidio
Business Administration
Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Castillo
Outstanding Master of Business Administration Student: Abiola Orimolade, Alpine
Outstanding Online Master of Business Administration Student: Griselda Munoz, Fort Hancock
Computer Science and Mathematics
Outstanding Underclassman in Computer Science: Samuel Perkins, Alpine
Outstanding Senior in Computer Science: Bryant Miranda, Natalia
Outstanding Freshman in Mathematics: Mauricio Perez, El Paso
Outstanding Senior in Mathematics: Ernesto Rivera, Alpine
Education
Excellence in Education – Counseling: Steffie Senter-Hutchins, Midland
Excellence in Education – Educational Diagnostician: Noelle Spieker, San Angelo
Excellence in Education – Educational Leadership: Isela Pena
Excellence in Education – General Education: Rebecca Garcia, Alpine
Outstanding Clinical Teacher: Leinora Alimboyoguen, Alpine
Outstanding Intern Teacher: Laura Rodriguez, Sabinal
Outstanding Student Teacher: Rivera
Albert B. Tucker Reading Specialist: Carmen Miranda, Socorro
Fine Arts and Communication
Big Bend Arts Council Art Supply Award – Outstanding New Art Major: Dara Mahoney, Lubbock
Charlotte Senneff Art Supply Award – Outstanding Art Major: Victoria Rios, Del Rio
Theatre Freshman of the Year: Crysty Graves-Herrera, Monahans; Desiree Rendon, Uvalde
Outstanding Freshman in Music: Justice Santa Cruz, Van Horn
Outstanding Instrumental Music Student: Ryan Heckart, Runaway Bay
Outstanding Music Student: Omar Guerrero, Presidio
Outstanding Communication Student: Melissa Morales, Alpine
Homeland Security and Criminal Justice
Outstanding Criminal Justice Undergraduate Student: Linda Padilla Cruz, Alpine
Outstanding Homeland Security Undergraduate Student: Samantha Sanchez, Alpine
Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate Student: Adrian Medina, El Paso
Outstanding Homeland Security Graduate Student: Robert Marcum, Austin
Honors Program
Honors Program Graduates: Bittner; Mancha; Taylor Schneider, Alpine
Kinesiology
Strength and Conditioning Award: Richard Trevino, Danbury
Student of the Year: Baeza
Teacher Education Award: Isaac Tovar, El Paso
W.H. Perryman Outstanding Kinesiology Major: Alexis Ruiz, Uvalde
Languages and Literature
Outstanding English Major: Michelle Ramos
Nelson Sager Outstanding English Graduate Student: Raleigh Darnell, Carbon; Naomi Presley, Lamesa
Natural Resource Management
Outstanding Underclassman in Natural Resource Management: Preston McKee, Hope, NM
Outstanding Upperclassman in Natural Resource Management: Erica Dunn, Alpine
Outstanding Graduate Student – Conservation Biology: Barbara Sugarman, Alpine
Outstanding Graduate Student – Range Management: Jacob Locke, Alpine
Outstanding Graduate Student – Wildlife Management: Maribel Glass, El Paso
Outstanding Field Volunteer – Daniel Botello, Alpine