COLLEGE STATION — Students and academic advisers in the College of Agriculture and Life Science at Texas A&M University in College Station have captured many top honors this semester in campuswide categories.
Eight students won the Buck Weirus Spirit Award, five were named Distinguished Graduate Students and three were chosen for the President’s Award for Academic Advising. Additionally, five were given the Margaret Rudder Service Award, 10 were named to Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities, and three received the Gathright Scholar Award.
The Buck Weirus Spirit Award recognizes “students for their outstanding contributions to the university through participation in student organizations, Aggie traditions and university events,” according to the Association of Former Students where the award’s namesake, Richard “Buck” Weirus, was executive director from 1964-80. Honorees from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences included undergraduate students Drew Alders, agricultural economics; Rolan Fields, agribusiness; Samantha Garcia, agriculture leadership and development; Daylon Koster, agriculture leadership and development; and Monica Zuniga, agriculture communications and journalism. Also honored were graduate students Kevin Andrews and Kalee Bumguardner, both in agricultural leadership, education and communications.
The Association of Former Students also selected five of the college’s students for the Distinguished Graduate Student Award. This honor is given to 16 Texas A&M students each year for “exemplary efforts in research and teaching.” The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences had more recipients than any other college in the university. Honored were Dr. Yongchul Shin in biological and agricultural engineering and David Toledo in ecosystem science and management, both for doctoral research; and Alison Bockoven in entomology, Leslie Frenzel in animal science and Dianne Stroman in ecosystem science and management, all for teaching.
Three of the five President’s Award for Academic Advising were presented to College of Agriculture and Life Sciences staff. They are Dr. David “Poppy” Capehart in the nutrition and food sciences department, Trina Gregory in the biochemistry and biophysics department and Donna Witt in the animal science department. Recipients each receive a $2,000 award and a plaque.
Five of the six students given the Margaret Rudder Service Award are College of Agriculture and Life Sciences majors. They include Andrea Fonseca, horticulture; Ana Sofia Corona Gaxiola, agronomy; Hayley Rogers, entomology; Cole Skinner, biological and agricultural engineering; and Cory Whitaker, agricultural leadership.
Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities selected graduate student Amir M. Samani Majd, biological and agricultural engineering; and undergraduate students Justin Benavidez, agricultural economics; Riddhi Bodani, biochemistry and biophysics; Deanna Bosse, agriculture business; Lonisa Early, animal science; Caleb Gottlich, nutrition and food science; Whitney Hinze, agriculture business; Aron Hutchins, agricultural leadership; Jake Riley, agriculture business; and Alfredo Tellez-Giron, food science and technology.
Three students received the Gathright Scholar Award for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. They are Seth Huffhines, animal science; Mollie Lastovica, agricultural communications; and Riddhi Bodani, biochemistry and biophysics.
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