Top WT Students Celebrated at University Honors Ceremony

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - Two significant West Texas A&M University student leaders and several other outstanding students were honored at an end-of-year celebration.

Katelyn Lechwar, a senior sports and exercise science major from Tulia, was named Woman of the Year, and Luis Abraham Martinez Jr., a senior finance major from Pampa, was named Man of the Year at the University Honors Ceremony on April 24 in the Alumni Banquet Hall on WT's Canyon campus.

Lechwar is treasurer and community events coordinator for Delight Ministries and vice president of leadership and learning opportunities for the Campus Activities Board, where she leads leadership initiatives and campus events. She also is the founder and president of Future Leaders in Sports and Exercise Science and represents the College of Nursing and Health Sciences as an ambassador. Lechwar also is a student in Rogers LEAD WT and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

"Katelyn exemplifies what it means to be a leader through both her influence and her initiative," wrote Sabrina Imel, campus activities coordinator, wrote in a nomination letter. "In every setting, Katelyn approaches her work with confidence, positivity and a solutions-oriented mindset. She is the student others look to for direction."

Martinez, a Texas Leadership Scholar in WT's Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Omicron Delta Epsilon. Both a McNair and Tri Alpha Scholar, he has earned multiple academic honors, including placement on the President's and Dean's Lists, and has been named College of Business Student of the Month. He is also a published researcher on cultural immersion and professional development and has participated in several international Study Abroad programs, while earning recognition through numerous scholarships, leadership awards, and national nominations.

"Luis's leadership is both extensive and impactful," wrote Dr. Ashley Morgan, clinical assistant professor of marketing in the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, in a nomination letter. "He represents the very best of the University, and I am confident he will continue to make significant contributions wherever his path leads."

"Katelyn and Luis remind all of us about the very best of WT," said Dr. Chris Thomas, vice president for student affairs. "Their work ethic, passion for serving others and tireless pursuit of something greater than themselves clearly show why they are both deserving of this honor."

Ribbin Saisasong, a senior marketing major from Amarillo, and Miriam Camargo, a senior biology major from Amarillo, also were finalists for Women of the Year. Andrew Berngen, a senior agricultural business and economics major from Dalhart, and Kevin Olivas, a junior digital media and communication major from Amarillo, also were finalists for Man of the Year.

The honors ceremony also included several other student, faculty and staff awards.

Madison Rodriguez, a senior general studies major from Itasca, won the Chancellor's Century Council Award earning a $1,000 scholarship to support leadership development opportunities related to the future of Texas higher education, rural community development and/or Texas public policy.

Rodriguez was recognized for her leadership as Buff Branding Director, where she helped design and implement orientation programs for incoming students, and for her continued service as a Community Adviser and Peer Leader, supporting student transition, mentorship, and campus engagement.

Luis Alfredo Avila, a senior nursing major from Hereford, was named the winner of the Presidential Order of the Silver Buffalo Award, presented to individuals and groups who have brought national or international recognition to WT.

Avila, a Panhandle Area Health Education Center Scholar, presented his research, "Declining Air Quality and Respiratory Health Derivatives in the Panhandle," in December to the National AHEC Scholars Collaborative as part of a national cohort of student presenters.

Outstanding student organization president is Morgan Elarton, a senior management major from Canyon and president of Students Assisting in Good Endeavors, or SAGE.

Finalists also included Jacque Ghormley, a senior animal science major from Fate and president of Sigma Alpha, and Sergio Gonzales, a senior health sciences major from Canyon and president of HOSA-Further Health Professionals.

Outstanding student leader is Abbigayle Smith, a senior agriculture media and communication major from Robert Lee, for Chi Omega. Finalists also included Lechwar for Future Leaders in Sports and Exercise Science, and Ximena Zendejas, a junior environmental sciences major from Dalhart, for Delight Ministries.

Outstanding student organization is Hispanic Student Association. Finalists also included Tau Beta Sigma and the American Chemical Organization.

Outstanding new student organization is Future Leaders in Sports and Exercise Science. Finalists also included Power Lifting and the Horseman Association.

Outstanding community engagement winner is Zeta Tau Alpha, recognizing its completion of 250 service hours and raising of $2,500 for philanthropic efforts, largely centered around American Cancer Society's Think Pink program. Finalists also included Delta Zeta and SAGE.

Dr. Russell Teweleit, professor of music education in the School of Music in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, was named Student Organization Champion for his work with Tau Beta Sigma. Finalists included Dr. Eduardo Huaytán-Martínez, assistant professor of Spanish, and Dr. Lau Romero, assistant professor of Spanish, for Hispanic Student Organization.

Outstanding program, which recognizes an exceptional on-campus initiative, is Omega Delta Phi. Finalists include Zeta Tau Alpha and HOSA-Future Health Professionals.

The WT Student Government Association recognized Officer Tyler Burch as the University Police Department officer of the year.

Students also were recognized for completing a track in the Student Leadership Relay, a University-wide program designed to enhance leadership experience for all students. Those recognized April 24 included:

• Leah Aviles, a senior general business major from Amarillo;
• Taylor Crenshaw, a senior animal science major from Ferris;
• Morgan Elarton, a senior management major from Rye, Colorado;
• Heidi Giesbrecht, a senior marketing major from Seminole;
• Brier Griffis, a senior animal science major from Idalou;
• Mary Vivian Ivey, a senior agriculture media and communication major from Fort Smith, Arkansas;
• Kevin Martinez, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Allen;
• Dominic Narvaez, a senior mechanical engineering major from Amarillo;
• Tiffanie Perez-Bailey, a senior management major from Amarillo;
• Ava Pluchino, a senior agribusiness and economics major from Stratford;
• Charlie Pointer, a senior sports and exercise science major from Turkey;
• Madison Rodriguez, a senior general studies major from Itasca; and
• Avery Shelton, a senior social work major from Amarillo.

The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership also celebrated student organizations through its new Standards of Excellence program, which was developed to provide a clear framework for success, encourage growth, and celebrate the hard work organizations put into creating meaningful experiences for their members and the University community.

American Chemical Society, Association of Latino Professionals for America and Future Leaders in Sports and Exercise Science each won bronze awards.

Campus Activities Board, Delight Ministries, Hispanic Student Association, Student Government Association. Tau Beta Sigma and Zeta Tau Alpha each won gold awards.

Greek Man of the Year is Liam Stayton, a junior finance major from Canyon. He has served as president of both Lambda Chi Alpha and the Interfraternity Council. As a chapter founder, he helped restore the fraternity's national charter.

Ivey, who also serves as student body president, was named Greek Woman of the Year. She has served in several leadership positions with sorority Delta Zeta.

WT's values of citizenship, hard work and servant leadership are the underpinnings of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which raised more than $200 million dollars, the largest such campaign in Texas Panhandle history.

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University 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 boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 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. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: Katelyn Lechwar, left, and Luis Abraham Martinez Jr. were named West Texas A&M University Woman and Man of the Year at an April 24 celebration.

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