Sul Ross names ‘Man, Woman of Year’

ALPINE Alcee Tavarez of Presidio and Janice Mitchell of Round Rock were named Sul Ross State University's 2008 Man and Woman of the Year during the annual honors convocation Monday at the Sul Ross Marshall Auditorium.
Tavarez, who interrupted his Sul Ross career to serve with distinction in the U.S. Army, will graduate in August with a general studies degree.
Mitchell, active as a student-athlete since enrolling in 2004, will graduate in May with a business administration degree.
Tavarez, the son of Alcee and Justina Tavarez, first enrolled at Sul Ross in 2000 after graduating from Presidio High School. He attended through 2002, then enlisted in the Army, where he served from May 2002-2005, including one year in Iraq. He received six decorations and medals, including the Army Commendation Medal.
Upon returning to Sul Ross in the summer of 2005, he has been on the Dean's List four times and currently maintains a 3.1 grade point average. During his first enrollment, Tavarez was active in the Freshman Leadership Program. Currently, he is part of the first group of Sul Ross students selected for the Ronald McNair Scholars Program to encourage continuation to graduate school for an advanced degree.
"I was surprised," he said of his selection. "I'm not used to getting rewarded for a daily duty.
"I just try to live my life to the best of my ability for my friends and family that have passed away," Tavarez said.
His future plans include pursuing pharmacy studies and perhaps a return to the military.
Mitchell, the daughter of Calvin Mitchell of Taylor and Gasalea Mitchell of Round Rock, graduated from Round Rock Stony Point High School in 2004. She was a four-year member of the Lady Lobos basketball team, serving as captain for three seasons. In addition, she earned American Southwest Conference All-Academic honors for the past three years and has an overall 3.04 grade point average.
Mitchell has also been an active presence on campus and in the community. She received a Freshman Leadership Scholarship and Student Ambassador Scholarship, has been a Student Government Association Senator since the fall of 2006 and was named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 2007. She has been selected to the Dean's List three times.
She worked with the Sul Ross Quality Enhancement Plan, has volunteered at the West Texas Food Bank and has been a Relay for Life participant during the past three years. After graduation, Mitchell plans to attend the University of North Texas to pursue a Master's of Business Administration in finance.
The Man and Woman of the Year award is the top honor a Sul Ross senior can receive.
The following departmental awards were also given at the convocation.

Animal Science
>> Outstanding Equine Science Student: Shannon Malesky, La Vernia.
>> Outstanding Farrier Tech Student: Ross Sheffield, Splendora.
>> Outstanding First Year Vet Tech Student: Rebecca Schreck, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Second Year Vet Tech Student: Carolyn Martinez, El Paso.
>> Outstanding Animal Health Student: Kristina M. Alaniz, Brownsville.
>> Outstanding Production Student: Albert Horn, Houston.
>> Outstanding Meat Technology Student: Brandon Althaus, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Meat Science Student: David Peikert, Dickinson.
>> Outstanding Graduate Student: Zachary Schuch, Austin.   
Behavioral and Social Sciences
>> Clifford B. Casey Book Award: Caleb Waters, New Braunfels.
>> Outstanding History Major, Phi Alpha Theta History Award: Joanna Alvidrez, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Student in Social Sciences: David Johnson, Odessa.
>> Outstanding Political Science Student Award: Arthur Sayre, Hawley.
>> Benedict-Dowell Memorial Scholarship: Moises Morales, Fort Hancock.
>> Outstanding Psychology Student Award: Jennifer Merryman, Crosby.

Biology
>> Outstanding Undergraduate Biology Student Award: Kaycee Watt, Claresholm, Alberta, Canada.
>> Outstanding Graduate Biology Student Award: Brandi Bell, Midland; Justin Ceniceros, Alpine.

Business Administration
>> Accounting Excellence Award: Robbie Michele Connell, Sabinal.

Computer Science and Mathematics
>> Outstanding Freshman in Mathematics: Jesus Hermosillo, Presidio.
>> Outstanding Senior in Computer Science: Jermaine Packer, Midland.
>> Gilley Mathematics Excellence Award: Jesus Olivas, Presidio.

Criminal Justice
>> Outstanding Freshman Criminal Justice Student: Leroy Mendez, El Paso.   
>> Outstanding Sophomore Criminal Justice Student: David Garcia, Tornillo.
>> Outstanding Junior Criminal Justice Student: Jose Galindo, Terlingua.
>> Outstanding Senior Criminal Justice Student: Lisa Barba, Corpus Christi.
>> Outstanding Graduate Criminal Justice Student: Rachel Cedillo, Del Rio.

Earth and Physical Sciences
>> Julius Dasch Outstanding Undergraduate Geology Student: Thomas A. Shiller, Harlingen.
>> Lance Forsythe Memorial Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Amy Malone, Spring Grove, Ill.

Education
>> Education Excellence Award: Stephanie Gutierrez, El Paso; Erica Munoz, El Paso; Daniel Brown, Cedar Creek; Jessica Galan, Ozona; Lyndi Cypher, Monahans.

Fine Arts and Communication
>> Outstanding Theatre Student: Jacob Cole McClurg, Tulia.
>> Outstanding Art Student: C.P. Carter, Monahans.
>> Outstanding Freshman in Communication: Benjamin Castro, Marfa.
>> Outstanding Voice Student: Tommy Cude, Alpine.
>> Music Teachers National Association Student Achievement Recognition Award: Daniella Houston, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Instrumental Student: Mariana Viggatto, Del Rio.
>> Outstanding Contributor in Choir: Ben Stringer, Alpine.

Languages and Literature
>> Outstanding Senior English Major: Sharon Collyer, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Senior Spanish Major: Alonso Hernandez, Presidio.

Natural Resource Management
>> Outstanding Underclassman in Natural Resource Management: Mark Tyson, Iola.
>> Outstanding Upperclassman in Natural Resource Management: Madeleine Cantu, Deer Park.
>> Outstanding Upperclassman In Agricultural Business: Teresa Womack, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Graduate Student in Range and Wildlife Management-Range: Dustin Windsor, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Graduate Student in Range and Wildlife Management-Wildlife: Brendan Witt, Houston; Lorna Hernandez, Alpine.

Physical Education
>> W.H. Perryman Scholarship: Christopher Garcia, Del Rio; Jose L. Martinez, Imperial; Joseph Moseley, Fort Hancock.