WT’s Nursing and Health Sciences Students, Faculty Honored

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

CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M University's College of Nursing and Health Sciences honored top students and faculty at a year-end celebration.

Students from each of the College's departments and programs-the Laura and Joe Street School of Nursing, Speech and Hearing Sciences, Sports and Exercise Sciences, and Health Sciences-were honored April 30, as were all scholarship recipients, Dean's and President's List recipients, and honor graduates.

"This faculty's dedication to educating future health professionals, advancing scholarship and serving communities is the foundation of our success," said Dr. Holly Jeffreys, dean and the Ware University Distinguished Professor. "Faculty are mentors, leaders and innovators who shape not only the knowledge, but the character and compassion of our students. Our students consistently demonstrate resilience, compassion and commitment to excellence in the classroom, clinical settings and even on the field as many students also are student athletes. Together, the faculty and students have a lasting impact not only on the WT campus, but throughout the communities we serve across the Texas Panhandle and beyond."

Spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for May 15 and 16.

Nursing students recognized were Gatlin Guy from Wellington, Outstanding Junior I Student; Parker Steinman from Amarillo, Outstanding Junior II Student; Sirrah Harris from Lubbock, Outstanding Senior I Student; Zainab Khadeeja from Amarillo, Outstanding Senior II Student; Jessica Aguilar from Hereford, Outstanding RN-BSN Student; Reagan Caddell from Amarillo, Outstanding Family Nurse Practitioner Student; Stephanie Cruth from Amarillo, Outstanding Graduate Poster; Madison Nance from Lubbock, Outstanding Comprehensive Student; and Bittany Omer from Amarillo, Outstanding Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Student.

Speech and Hearing Sciences students recognized were Ella Scantlin from Canyon, Outstanding Junior; Sidney Perkins from Amarillo, Outstanding Senior; Ashton Skiles from Dalhart, Outstanding Graduate Poster; Elisa Atkinson from Amarillo, Outstanding First-Year Graduate Student; and Marlee Hicks from Sweetwater, Outstanding Second-Year Graduate Student.

Sports and Exercise Sciences students recognized were Adrian Legarreta, senior from Friona, Outstanding All-Level SES Student; Madi-Lynne Englund, senior from Slaton, Outstanding Athletic Training Student; Avery Cannon, junior from Frisco, Outstanding Exercise Sciences Student; Raegan Walter, junior from Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, Outstanding Human Performance Student; and Lexi Maul, graduate student from Pampa, Outstanding Sports and Exercise Sciences Graduate Student and Outstanding Graduate Poster.

Health Sciences students recognized were Blessing Akintoye, a junior from Ogun State, Nigeria, and, for the RELLIS campus, Trent Wiatrek, a senior from Poth.

Faculty members recognized were Dr. Michelle Bartlett, professor of sports and exercise sciences, for research; Landon Brown, instructor of speech and hearing sciences, for service; and Austin Wiseman, the Northwest Texas Healthcare System / Eunice King Professor of Nursing, for teaching excellence.

Promoting, recognizing and rewarding excellence is in line with the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence 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 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: West Texas A&M University's College of Nursing and Health Sciences recently honored its top students of the year at an April 30 reception. Award-winning students included, back from left, Adrian Legarreta, Gatlin Guy, Parker Steinman, Ella Scantlin, Avery Cannon, Raegan Walter and Madi-Lynne Englund; and, front from left, Stephanie Cruth, Sidney Perkins, Marlee Hicks, Elisa Atkinson, Reagan Caddell and Zainab Khadeeja.

-WT-