Sul Ross State University announced the Man and Woman of the Year for 2024 at the Honors Convocation on Monday, April 15, at Marshall Auditorium on the Alpine campus.
The 2024 Man of the Year is Jacob Robert Morales Jr. (El Paso).
He is characterized as an exceptional student who epitomizes the essence of what a dedication is all about.
He balances his outside activities, which are numerous, with his academic responsibilities and does so in an exceptionally effective way.
“He is a pleasure to have in class and is quite popular with other students. He is willing to answer questions and interact with teachers and classmates,” wrote a nominator.
Another stated that Morales “is inquisitive and would certainly be considered a quick study. He is a genuinely nice individual who has a strong moral compass and a solid grounding in ethics and standards.”
Finally, “He was a very respectful student and person who treats everybody with kindness and respect,” said one of his coaches. “He is a hard worker on and off the field and an example to other students and athletes, alike.”
The 2024 Woman of the Year is Marley Annette Rokas (Universal City).
One of the individuals who nominated her wrote, “In every capacity I have had the opportunity to observe her, she has demonstrated qualities of commitment, persistence and excellence.
“She is always prepared to participate in discussions and ask questions that reflect critical reflection on the material. She actively engages and poses important and interesting questions for the group and presenters to consider.”
For the last three consecutive years, she has presented her research in the Sul Ross State University Undergraduate and Graduate Research Symposium.
Rokas is a member of the Student Government Association and a student representative on the Academic Integrity Council. Another nominator stated, “It is clear that she is both taking initiative to get involved and being recognized as a responsible leader on our campus. She is someone who carries an air of excellence in all she does.”
She is described as being “undeniably one of the best student-athletes to attend the university due to her excellent academics, her athletic success and her honorable community work with the elderly, underprivileged youth and women’s groups.”
“I feel very honored to have been part of her journey, and I have every confidence that she will accomplish even more amazing things in the future,” wrote a nominator.
SRSU faculty and staff nominate students each year in the spring. Nominees must have applied and been cleared to graduate in May or graduated in the fall or summer of the previous year, have an overall 3.0 GPA, displayed qualities of good citizenship and leadership, be active in students and/or community activities and not be a previous recipient of the award.
