WT Social Science Students Win $150,000-Plus in Scholarships

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

CANYON, Texas - More than $150,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students in West Texas A&M University's Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice and Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work.

The departments, which are housed in the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, also recognized their outstanding students for the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Criminal Justice: Kate Burnett, a senior criminal justice major from Lubbock
• Emergency Management Administration: Ryland Ruffner, a December graduate in emergency management administration from Pittsburg; and Nathan Kennedy, a senior emergency management administration major from Bryan
• Master of Public Administration: Grace Shelton, a graduate student from Bryan
• Political Science: Emily Liskai, a senior political science major from Waterville, Ohio; and Kaizer Mahaffee, a December graduate in political science major from Dumas
• Psychology: Olha Humeniuk, a graduate student in psychology from Amarillo; and Riven Robinson, a senior in psychology from Sundown
• Social Studies education: Kathleen Curry, a senior education major from Andrews; and Christian Morris, a senior education major from Amarillo
• Sociology: Ariella Aguirre, a senior sociology major from Lubbock
• Social Work (graduate): Tiffany Hunter, a graduate student in social work from Amarillo; Savanna McPherson, a graduate student in social work from Pampa; and Angela Snow, a graduate student in social work from Amarillo
• Social Work (undergraduate): Dana Hernandez, a senior social work major from Amarillo

"We have great students, and it is a pleasure to recognize our outstanding students and award scholarships to so many of our deserving students," said Dr. Reed Welch, head of both departments and WT's Teel Bivins Professor of American Politics. "We also salute our donors who believe in our students and their futures. Donor support is one of the ways WT helps students graduate and succeed in the workforce."

Spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for May 15 and 16.

Scholarship winners include:

• Claudia Stravato Women in Government Scholarship: Garicyn Bigham, a junior political science major from Amherst;
• Debra McCartt Public Service and Administration Scholarship: Everett Anderson, a senior political science major from Amarillo, and Shannon Whitaker, a senior emergency management administration major from Midland;
• Pat Stephens Honorary Scholarship: Natalee Vidana, a sophomore political science major from Muleshoe;
• Jesse & Grace Osborn Endowment Fund: Steven Adams, a junior emergency management administration major from Houston; Eddie De Luna, a senior emergency management administration major from Del Rio; and Steven Jamison, a senior emergency management administration major from Galveston;
• John Ward Public Administration Scholarship: Matthew Barnes, a senior emergency management administration major from Fort Worth; Corey Cabiness, a senior emergency management administration major from Beaumont; Kathryn Jarma, a junior emergency management administration major from League City; Oscar Medina, a senior emergency management administration major from Corpus Christi; John Perez, a junior emergency management administration major from Vernon; and Kasey Wright Davis, a senior emergency management administration major from San Angelo;
• Lasater / Looney Political Science Scholarship: Marcela Ruvalcaba, a junior political science major from Stratford;
• Max & Gene Alice Sherman Public Affairs Scholarship Award: Olivia Jimenez, a senior political science major from El Paso;
• Walter L. Shelly Political Science Scholarship: Lucero Curampa, a junior political science major from Canyon;
• James V. Calvi Scholarship: Benjamin Kobo, a junior political science major from Amarillo;
• Travis McBride Political Science Scholarship: Elijah Anderson, a senior political science major from Amarillo; Natalie Creacy, a senior political science major from Houston; Olivia Jimenez, a senior political science major from El Paso; Benjamin Kogo, a junior political science major from Amarillo; Andrew Leftakes, a master of public administration student from San Antonio; Gabrielle Powell, a senior political science major from Pueblo, Colorado; Nicholas Shaffer, a junior political science major from Amarillo; and Kaila Silva, a master of public administration student from Dimmitt;
• Judge Marvin Jones Scholarship: Shanda Neelley, a master of public administration student from Vega; Piper Remington, a freshman political science major from Amarillo; Jaci Nichols, a sophomore political science major from Amarillo; Katelynn Okeefe, a sophomore political science major from Lubbock; and Cynthia Rodriguez, a master of public administration student from Amarillo;
• Brent T. Lynch Criminal Justice Scholarship Award: Mayra Garcia, a junior criminal justice major from Comal; and Lynzy Taylor Schwartz, a senior criminal justice major from Harris;
• Captain Ed Foster Law Enforcement Scholarship: Arianna Castanon, a junior criminal justice major from Amarillo; and Kaden S. Juarez, a junior criminal justice major from Amarillo;
• Criminal Justice Master's Program Scholarship: Megan Stevens, a graduate student in criminal justice from Pampa;
• Harry and Maryann Hueston Scholarship: Kristal A. Caraveo, a junior criminal justice major from Midland; Laney Nicole Charles, a sophomore criminal justice major from Hereford; and Khaw Lian Uk, a senior criminal justice major from Amarillo;
• John B. & Mary O. Coleman Scholarship: Michael Stephen Helms, a junior emergency management administration major from Jourdanton; Timothy Howson, a senior emergency management administration major from Nashville, Tennessee; Kennedy Kuper, a senior emergency management administration major from Fort Worth; Barbara Jean Latta, a senior criminal justice major from Amarillo; and Colby Story, a senior emergency management administration major from College Station;
• Retired Professors Scholarship: Adrianna L. Nuñez, a junior criminal justice major from Abernathy; and Emily Ortiz, a junior criminal justice major from Perryton;
• Clark E. Woolridge Memorial Scholarship: Rosalinda Lucio, a junior social work major from Plainview;
• Dipakben J. Patel Scholarship: Jessica Acre, a junior social work major from Amarillo; and Savanna McPherson, a graduate student in social work from Pampa;
• Kollengode R. Ramakrishnan Scholarship: Alejandra Aguilar, a graduate student in social work from Wheeler; Samantha Martin, a junior social work major from Amarillo; and Mahalia Vega, a junior social work major from Canyon;
• Judith Mathewson Lankford Social Work Scholarship: Laurel Allen, a junior social work major from Amarillo; Jessica Apodaca, a senior social work major from Hereford; Nicole Czerwinski, a junior social work major from Amarillo; Hannah Drake, a senior social work major from Happy; Cassandra Duran, a graduate student in social work from Lubbock; Jeanette Florentino, a junior social work major from Amarillo; Amber Galvan, a graduate student in social work from Lubbock; Alana George, a sophomore social work major from Perryton; Alexandria Hamilton, a sophomore social work major from Amarillo; Mackinzy Hampton, a sophomore social work major from Amarillo; Merissa Marquez, a sophomore social work major from Hereford; Veronica Martinez, a senior social work major from Amarillo Katie Montes, a sophomore social work major from Perryton; Daniela Patino, a junior social work major from Amarillo; Laura Rodriguez, a sophomore social work major from Hereford; Tessa Sanders, a junior social work major from Amarillo; Ruby Trevino, a sophomore social work major from Amarillo; Arianna Vargas, a junior social work major from Dalhart; Alison Wilson, a sophomore social work major from Byan;
• Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Scholarship: Stephany Moreno, a sophomore social work major from Hartley: and Leslie Rubio, a sophomore social work major from Dumas;
• Sibyl Mitchell Scholarship: Reese Barnes, a sophomore social work major from Amarillo; Julie-Ann Bownds, a junior social work major from Littlefield; and Mario Savala, a sophomore social work major from Amarillo;
• Tom Cannon Student Service Award: Isabel Cristina Cadavid Posada, a graduate student in psychology from Amarillo; and Joshua Taylor Mangum, a senior psychology major from Canyon;
• Joseph Findley Scholarship: Kylee R. Canode, a senior psychology major from Austin;
• Mitchell Jones Scholarship: Anthony Jacob Sarmiento, a senior psychology major from Big Spring;
• Jay Allen Mathis Memorial Scholarship: Amber Lynn Sain, a senior psychology major from Amarillo;
• Psychology Club Scholarship: Anna Ruth Holcomb, a junior psychology major from Amarillo;
• Sarah Raffkind Scholarship: Alexis Holguin, a senior psychology major from Amarillo; and Yazmin Lira, a senior psychology major from Hereford;
• John and Sally Skaggs Psychology: Lillie Fleming, a senior psychology major from Amarillo; and Rani Kristine House, a sophomore psychology major from Goldthwaite;
• Arvezene Winter Scholarship: Isabella Rose Jurado, a sophomore psychology major from Childress;
• Jimmy D. Pond Scholarship for the Social Sciences: Kylia Jade Lambert, a junior psychology major from Amarillo;
• Dorothy Gimp Brand: Ki'sha Lamari Brown, a sophomore psychology major from Pampa; Kailin Noelle Noble, a sophomore psychology major from Amarillo; and Ally Wilson, a junior psychology major from Amarillo;
• Brian Beckley Scholarship: Jessica Lacrew, a senior sociology major from Amarillo; Lydia Tramillo, a freshman sociology major from Borger; and Chelsea Wright, a junior sociology major from Clarendon;
• Nona L. Moore Scholarship: Micki Lane, a senior sociology major from Amarillo; and
• Jane Addams Memorial Scholarship: Connor Richardson, a sophomore sociology major from Canyon.

Recruiting, retaining and rewarding the best students is a key component 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: West Texas A&M University's Departments of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and Psychology, Sociology and Social Work honored its top students recently. Among the winners of outstanding student awards were, from left, Kathleen Curry and Christian Morris, both for social studies education.

-WT-