ALPINE Katherine Mancha of San Antonio and Santiago Castillo of San Benito were named the 2019 Sul Ross State University Woman and Man of the Year at the annual Honors Convocation, held April 29 in Marshall Auditorium.
Sul Ross President Bill Kibler presented the awards. The Man and Woman of the Year award is the top honor Sul Ross seniors can receive.
Mancha, who will graduate May 17 with a bachelor of science degree in biology, was nominated for her scholarship, leadership and volunteerism. Her future plans include medical school.
“Katherine is one of those students who consistently remind us of why we love teaching,” her nomination stated. “She is empathetic, measured, discreet, warm, friendly, patient, and delightful to be around. “(Mancha) also gives back to her community. She has worked numerous hours at the Alpine Humane Society as well as participating in teaching events for children, such as the CDRI’s (Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute) Reptile Fair and Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! Event….To continue the list of descriptors, she is dependable, pro-active and trustworthy. And she is smart. She will graduate with Honors and has been a McNair Scholar.”
In addition to excelling in the McNair and Honors programs, Mancha has maintained a 3.7 or higher grade point average each semester at Sul Ross and has served as a tutor at the Tutoring and Learning Center, including senior tutor during the current academic year. She is also a member of the Biology Club and Chemistry Club.
Castillo, who will graduate May 17 with bachelor of business administration degree in accounting, has been active in the Student Government Association, presently serving as vice president and previously as treasurer. He has also served as treasurer of the Honors Club and Business Club and is a student affiliate member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
“Santiago … is fantastic in everything he does and shows great enthusiasm,” his nomination stated. “He is a hard working student, a great leader and courageous man.”
Castillo has been named to the Dean’s Lists for the past five completed semesters. He has been selected for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop, the Diamond Symposium hosted by the Dow Chemical Co. and for the KMPG PHD Project Conference.
The following departmental awards were also presented at the convocation.
Animal Science
>> Outstanding Student in Agricultural Education: Mikayla Lozano, Lampasas.
>> Outstanding Student in Animal Production: Pamela Wright, Round Rock.
>> Outstanding Student in Pre-Veterinary Medicine: Victoria Romo, El Paso.
>> Outstanding Student in Science: Callie Czaja, Floresville.
>> Outstanding Graduate Student: Burt Justin, Williston, SC.
Athletics
>> Distinguished Scholar Athlete Awards: Fabian Baeza, Van Horn, Male Scholar Athlete Medal of Honor; Kelly Swenson, Austin, Female Scholar Athlete Medal of Honor; Kyela Cosby, North Zulch; Darrian Doederlein, Lamesa; Alexa Gallardo, El Paso; Taylor Gass, Gail; Alyssa Lanahan, El Paso; Michael Munden, El Paso; William Serrano, Pecos; Caleb Thomasson, Ackerly.
Behavioral and Social Sciences
>> Clifford B. Casey Book Award: Tyler Phillips, Houston.
>> Outstanding History Major, Phi Alpha Theta Award: Sarah Adams, Midland.
>> Outstanding Political Science Student: Lindsey Hall-Schwegmann, Live Oak.
>> Outstanding Psychology Student: Kaylee Plowman, Alpine.
Biology, Geology and Physical Sciences
>> Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Biology: Mancha; Amy Oxenham, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Graduate Student in Biology: Melissa Schenkman, Midland.
>> Julius Dasch Memorial Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Geology: Erin Bittner, Dale.
>> Lance Forsythe Memorial Outstanding Graduate in Geology: Corbin Carsrud, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Student in Introductory Chemistry: Makayla Yantis, Monahans.
>> James G. Houston Organic Chemistry Award: Jonathan Carrasco, Presidio.
Business Administration
>> Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Business Administration: Castillo.
>> Outstanding Master of Business Administration Student: Abiola Orimolade, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Online Master of Business Administration Student: Griselda Munoz, Fort Hancock.
Computer Science and Mathematics
>> Outstanding Underclassman in Computer Science: Samuel Perkins, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Senior in Computer Science: Bryant Miranda, Natalia.
>> Outstanding Freshman in Mathematics: Mauricio Perez, El Paso.
>> Outstanding Senior in Mathematics: Ernesto Rivera, Alpine.
Education
>> Excellence in Education, Counseling: Steffie Senter-Hutchins, Midland.
>> Excellence in Education, Educational Diagnostician: Noelle Spieker, San Angelo.
>> Excellence in Education, Educational Leadership: Isela Pena.
>> Excellence in Education, General Education: Rebecca Garcia, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Clinical Teacher: Leinora Alimboyoguen, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Intern Teacher: Laura Rodriguez, Sabinal.
>> Outstanding Student Teacher: Rivera.
>> Albert B. Tucker Reading Specialist: Carmen Miranda, Socorro.
Fine Arts and Communication
>> Big Bend Arts Council Art Supply Award, Outstanding New Art Major: Dara Mahoney, Lubbock.
>> Charlotte Senneff Art Supply Award, Outstanding Art Major: Victoria Rios, Del Rio.
>> Theatre Freshman of the Year: Crysty Graves-Herrera, Monahans; Desiree Rendon, Uvalde.
>> Outstanding Freshman in Music: Justice Santa Cruz, Van Horn.
>> Outstanding Instrumental Music Student: Ryan Heckart, Runaway Bay.
>> Outstanding Music Student: Omar Guerrero, Presidio.
>> Outstanding Communication Student: Melissa Morales, Alpine.
Homeland Security and Criminal Justice
>> Outstanding Criminal Justice Undergraduate Student: Linda Padilla Cruz, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Homeland Security Undergraduate Student: Samantha Sanchez, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate Student: Adrian Medina, El Paso.
>> Outstanding Homeland Security Graduate Student: Robert Marcum, Austin.
Honors Program
>> Honors Program Graduates: Bittner; Mancha; Taylor Schneider, Alpine.
Kinesiology
>> Strength and Conditioning Award: Richard Trevino, Danbury.
>> Student of the Year: Baeza.
>> Teacher Education Award: Isaac Tovar, El Paso.
>> W. H. Perryman Outstanding Kinesiology Major: Alexis Ruiz, Uvalde.
Languages and Literature
>> Outstanding English Major: Michelle Ramos.
>> Nelson Sager Outstanding English Graduate Student: Raleigh Darnell, Carbon; Naomi Presley, Lamesa.
Natural Resource Management
>> Outstanding Underclassman in Natural Resource Management: Preston McKee, Hope, NM.
>> Outstanding Upperclassman in Natural Resource Management: Erica Dunn, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Graduate Student, Conservation Biology: Barbara Sugarman, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Graduate Student, Range Management: Jacob Locke, Alpine.
>> Outstanding Graduate Student, Wildlife Management: Maribel Glass, El Paso.
>> Outstanding Field Volunteer: Daniel Botello, Alpine.
