WT Attebury Honors Students Celebrated at Pre-Graduation Reception

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

CANYON, Texas - Nine accomplished West Texas A&M University scholars were celebrated Dec. 9 at a special pre-commencement ceremony.

Students from the Attebury Honors Program toasted their accomplishments and saluted their advisers during a reception in the Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center on WT's Canyon campus.

"Attebury Scholars represent an elite 3 percent of undergraduate students," said Dr. Carolyn Baum, Attebury Honors Program director and assistant professor in the Department of Communication. "These are not just scholars but leaders who are engaged across campus."

The program was established in 2001 to provide an enriched learning community for some of WT's best and brightest students.

The students have taken specially designed courses under faculty from across the University, completed a capstone project unique to their skills and majors, and displayed leadership in their respective disciplines, Baum said.

Those honored included: Ransom Colette, a mechanical engineering major from Big Springs; Hana Craycraft, an animal science major from Keller; Vicente Flores, a mechanical engineering major from Amarillo; Lillynn Lewis, an environmental science major from Artesia, New Mexico; Sydney Martin, a psychology major from Colleyville; Khylee Miller, a computer science major from Canyon; Asher Nowak, a biology major from Amarillo; Nadia Reyna, a health sciences major from San Antonio; and Trina Swan, a social work major from Amarillo.

The graduating seniors will receive a special designation in the commencement program and a medallion at the Dec. 12 and 13 commencement ceremonies in the First United Bank Center on the Canyon campus.

Attebury Honors students initially enroll in honors sections of core curriculum courses taught by honors faculty that encourage development of exceptional written and oral communication skills with expanded content.

After taking courses within their major, students enroll in upper-level interdisciplinary honors seminar courses, where they critically consider local and global issues both past and present. Students are mentored throughout their degree by honors faculty from across the institution and complete an honors capstone research project or experience that showcase their unique talents.

Honors students also receive peer mentoring, priority registration and support for engagement in research conferences, internships and study abroad, and live in an honors-only residence hall.

The Attebury Honors program, which was endowed in 2007 by William H. and Joyce Attebury, includes 245 students.

Currently, 98 students come from the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, 23 from the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, 30 from the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, 26 from the College of Engineering, 34 from the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities and 34 from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

The honors program is part of the rigorous educational environment laid out in the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign has raised more than $175 million and will continue through 2025.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence 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 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 University also is home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest's finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: Graduating seniors from West Texas A&M University's Attebury Honors Program were honored at a Dec. 9 pre-commencement ceremony. Pictured are, from left, Lillynn Lewis, Vicente Flores, Ransom Colette, Hana Craycraft, Nadia Reyna, Sydney Martin, Trina Swan and Asher Nowak. Not pictured is Kylee Miller.

-WT-