Science Community Night

Honors Students and Raises Funds

The third annual Science Community Night was held on Saturday, Oct. 25 in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center Legacy Hall.

Science Community Night is hosted by the Department of Chemistry and Physics and the Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences. Students, faculty, staff, and community supporters alike gathered for this event to raise funds for scholarships and to honor outstanding student achievements.

The night featured a social hour, dinner, keynote speaker and prize drawings, while recognizing student organizations and departmental successes.

Science Representatives Itzel Alvarez Avendano and Audrey Adkison, both junior Wildlife Biology majors, emceed this year's event.

This year, a record breaking $18,000 was raised to support scholarships. All donations made were matched by the Engler Foundation.

At Science Community Night each fall, a different discipline from the departments is chosen to be highlighted. In honor of the program’s 50^th anniversary, Wildlife Biology was the focus of this year’s event.

An alumni of WT’s Wildlife Biology program, Caroline Ellison, B.S. '13, M.S. '16, gave the keynote address. Ellison is a Wildlife Biologist for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, currently serving as the District Biologist for nine counties throughout the Texas Panhandle. She spoke about her time as a Buff, and how her experiences at WT significantly contributed to her career success. Ellison encouraged students to pursue their passions and take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to them while receiving their education at WT.

To conclude the event, two students were recognized for their outstanding service to the sciences.

Tanner Sargent, a Master of Science in Biology student, was honored as the Outstanding Service to the Sciences Graduate Award recipient.

"I would like to thank Dr. Matlack, Dr. Yarbrough and all the students I get the honor of helping," Sargent said. "Without any of them, receiving this award would not have been possible."

Tiffany Montana, a senior Biology major, was named the Outstanding Service to the Sciences Undergraduate Award recipient.

"I am overwhelmed with pride and thankfulness for receiving this award," Montana said. "I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences and community. Thank you to my mentors, professors, and advisors, as well as Dr. Stevens, Dr. Yarbrough and Dr. Crosman for awarding me with this recognition."

WT Rodeo Competes at New Mexico Junior College

The WT Rodeo Team traveled to Hobbs, NM for the New Mexico Junior College Thunderbird Rodeo held on Oct. 23-25.

While in Hobbs, multiple students qualified for the short round and placed in the average.

Individual Results:

Goat Tying

Dallee Robison - 8^th in short round and 7^th/8^th in average

Tie-Down Roping

Henry Jones - 8^th in short round and 10^th in average

Tryce Johnson - 9^th in short round and 11^th in average

Breakaway

Bella Saulan - 4^th in short round and 5^th/6^th in average

Acelyn Brink - 10^th in short round and 11^th in average

Barrel Racing

Tori Huddleston - 10^th in short round and 7^th/ 8^th in average

Markee Hawksworth - 7^th in short round and 9^th in average

Professor of Physics Presents at International Workshop

Assistant Professor of Physics, Dr. Keshav Shrestha, was recently invited as a keynote speaker to the University of Science & Technology in Meghalaya, India.

The topic of the workshop was "Understanding and Exploring Quantum States of Matter." Dr. Shrestha's seminar was titled: "Effect of Pressure on the Electronic Structure of Kagome Compounds."

"It was an honor to be a keynote speaker at the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya," Dr. Shrestha said. "I was truly humbled by the warm hospitality and recognition extended by the Chancellor and Dean. We also discussed the potential for future scientific collaboration, which I believe will further strengthen our academic and cultural connections beyond borders."

McNair Scholars Research Showcase

The McNair Scholars Research Showcase was held on Oct. 21 on campus in the Cornette Library.

Held annually, this showcase is an opportunity for current McNair Scholars to present their research posters to fellow students, faculty and the community.

WT is 1 of 151 institutions nationwide to receive funding for the McNair Scholars Program. McNair Scholars are first generation undergraduates who conduct doctoral level research, while being mentored by a WT faculty member.