Awards

>> Courtney Paige Coombes of Odessa has been named a U.S. National Award Winner in science by the U.S. Achievement Academy.

Courtney attends Nimitz Junior High and was nominated by her science teacher, Karen Telck.

The Academy selects USAA winners upon the exclusive recommendation of teachers, coaches, counselors, and other qualified sponsors and upon the Standards of Selection set forth by the Academy.

The criteria for the selection are a student’s academic performance, interest and aptitude, leadership qualities, responsibility, enthusiasm, motivation to learn and improve, citizenship, attitude and cooperative spirit, dependability and recommendation from a qualified sponsor.

In addition, Courtney has also been named All-American Scholar.

The USAA has established the All-American Scholar Award Program to offer deserved recognition to superior students who excel in the academic disciplines.

Scholars must earn a 3.3 or higher grade point average. Only scholars selected by a school instructor, counselor, or other qualified sponsor are accepted.

Courtney is the daughter of Kelvin and Debbie Coombes of Odessa. Her grandparents are Henry and Wanda Coombes of Odessa and Kay Mehlisch of Austin and Dr. Donald Mehlisch of Palm Springs, Calif.

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

>> SHERMAN Trent Holbrook of Odessa and Whitney Russell of Midland recently participated in the Austin College’s Etiquette Dinner to help students prepare for the business world.

Holbrook, graduate of Odessa High, is the son of Jeanie and Dan Holbrook. Russell, graduate of Midland High School, is the daughter of Valorie and Will Russell.

RETIREMENT

>> Mickey Havens, Sul Ross State University vice president for administrative services, was honored with a retirement reception April 30.

Havens retired Tuesday after 35 years service with the State of Texas, including 27 with the Texas State University System and the last 23 at Sul Ross.

He joined the Sul Ross staff in 1984 as vice president for Business Affairs and was named to his present position in 1998. It is believed his vice presidential tenure is one of the longest in Sul Ross history.

While at Sul Ross, Havens has overseen construction projects, which approach $92 million.

The bulk of the expenditures have occurred since 1999 and include a new University Center, Pete P. Gallego Multi-Purpose Center and the new residential complex.

Havens’ duties have also included preparation of endowment agreements, which have grown from 28 endowments totaling slightly more than $870,000 in 1984 to 214 endowments valued at more than $11,728,000.

A native of Belton, Havens served in the U.S. Air Force (1967-71), including overseas assignments to Japan, Vietnam and England, after graduation from high school.

After his discharge, he enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a bachelor’s of business administration degree in 1974.

He was hired as director of finance for the Texas State University System in 1980 before coming to Sul Ross.

He became a certified public accountant in 1984 and received a master’s of business administration from Sul Ross in 1990.

His retirement plans include travel. He and his wife, Jan, have two daughters.

Honors

>> SHERMAN Local and area students were recently recognized as new members of academic honor societies at Austin College honors convocation.

They are listed as follows by hometown, high school previously attended, parents and honor societies for which they qualify.

>> Odessa: Thomas Rhodes, Odessa High School, son of Kathy and Eddie Rhodes, Phi Sigma Iota, Foreign Languages.

>> Big Spring: Austin Barton, Bonham High School, son of Debra and Don Barton, Phi Beta Kappa, Honor Society

>> Midland: Polly O’Byrne Hyde, Midland High School, daughter of Bridget and Matthew Hyde, Phi Beta Kappa, Honor Society, and Alpha Chi, Scholastics society. Whitney Russell, Midland High School, daughter of Valorie and Will Russell, psi chi, psychology.