More than two dozen students at Sul Ross State University have been selected to receive over $250,000 in scholarships from a variety of sources through the Borderlands Research Institute. It is the largest amount of scholarship funds ever distributed to BRI-affiliated students.
The Borderlands Research Foundation (BRF) supports BRI and, through efforts such as the West Texas Conservationist of the Year Award, significantly expanded student scholarships this year.
“As another semester gets rolling, our students are already hard at work with their classwork and research projects, and this is welcome news for them,” said Dr. Louis A. Harveson, the Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., Endowed Director of BRI. “Many take out loans as they finish their studies, and they are deeply appreciative of this kind of support. Thanks to fundraising efforts of the Borderlands Research Foundation, along with the generosity of many fine organizations and donors, we are seeing an unprecedented investment in our students—and ultimately in the future of conservation.”
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 over 31 million acres in Texas, some 20 percent of the state’s acreage.
Scholarships and recipients include the following:
BRF Scholarship: Jesse Ellgren, Ty Goodwin, Halli Lovell, Hayley Shultz, Madison Vastine, Kendall Christensen, Luke Christensen, SJ Gilbert, Kennedy Bailey, Maggie Rector, Christian Lewis, Bryce Mann, Will Quarles.
BRI Scholarship: Caitlin Camp-Pappas, Asia Cornelius, Matt Hewitt.
Franklin and Virginia Law Scholarship: Audrey Taulli.
San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship: Bryce Mann, Will Quarles, Maggie Rector, Kennedy Bailey.
Virginia Matthews Law Endowed Scholarship: Emily Blumentritt.
Wayne and JoAnn Moore Endowed Scholarship: Emilie Brochon, Shelby duPerier, Eliana Goodwin.
West Texas Safari Club International Endowed Scholarship: Hailey Barton, Andrew Dotray.
Linda and Curtis Neeley Scholarship: Cesar Garza.
Permian Basin Area Foundation: Chris Mott.
Pictured from left. Front row: Asia Cornelius, Cesar Garza, Hayley Shultz, Eliana Goodwin. Second row: Audrey Taulli, Maggie Rector, Kendall Christensen, Luke Christensen, Halli Lovell, Emilie Brochon, Christian Lewis, Bryce Mann, Will Quarles. Back row: Chris Mott, Emily Blumentritt, Shelby duPerier, SJ Gilbert, Ty Goodwin, Hailey Barton, Kennedy Bailey, Andrew Dotray, Jesse Ellgren. Not pictured are Caitlin Camp-Pappas, Matt Hewitt and Madison Vastine.