Graduates of Distinction COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Each fall, outstanding alumni of the college are publically recognized. These graduates have distinguished themselves through their significant personal and professional accomplishments. Recipients of the award are selected from nominations submitted to a committee composed of faculty members from each department in the college. For information or to submit a nomination, please contact the committee chair, Dr. Yvette Castillo ycastillo@wtamu.edu.
The following individuals have been recognized as Distinguished Graduates of the College Diann Elliston Gilmore WTSU Bachelor of Arts in Social Work – 1974 Executive Director – Downtown Women’s Center Founding Member - Amarillo Coalition for the Homeless and the Tyler Street Resource Center 1996 Women’s Distinguished Service Award 2005 Beta Sigma Phi Woman of the Year 2008 Globe-News Woman of the Year Selden B. Hale III WTSU Bachelor of Science – 1965 Doctor of Jurisprudence – St. Mary’s University Criminal Trial Lawyer 1992-1993 Chairman–Board of Directors Texas Department of Criminal Justice Instrumental in Establishment of Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy Established Texas Punishment Standards Commission Established Prison Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program Jane Anderson WTSU Bachelor of Science in Social Work – 1974 WTSU Master of Arts in Sociology – 1977 Executive Director of the Youth Center of the High Plains and Next Step Home Chief Juvenile Probation Officer - Randall County Travis McBride WTSU Bachelor of Arts in Government & History- 1957 WTSU Master of Arts in Government, Economics & History – 1958 Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science & Economics - University of Oklahoma – 1967 WTSU Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science from 1957-1986 WTAMU Professor Emeritus Steven McCraw WTSU Bachelor of Science in Political Science -1979 WTSU Master of Arts - 1981 Director–Texas Department of Public Safety 2004-2009 Director–Texas Homeland Security 1983–2004 Special Agent-Federal Bureau of Investigation 1977-1983 Texas Highway Patrol Trooper and Narcotics Investigator Helen Piehl WTSU Bachelor of Business Administration in Secretarial Business – 1971 President and CEO – Western Sales, Inc. President WTAMU Foundation Board of Directors WTAMU Old Main Society Pinnacle Award – 2011 WTAMU Women’s Council Board of Directors Secretary to the Texas State 4-H Youth Development Foundation Donald E. Powell WTSU Bachelor of Science in Economics – 1963 Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University President and CEO of The First National Bank of Amarillo Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 2001-2005 Federal Coordinator of Gulf Coast Rebuilding 2005-2008 Myrna Raffkind WTAMU Master of Arts in Psychology – 1988 WTAMU Master of Arts in Sociology – 1995 WTAMU Faculty in Psychology and Sociology 1985-1998 WTAMU Foundation Board of Directors 2008 Beta Sigma Phi Woman of the Year 2007 Women’s Distinguished Service Award Rod Schroder WTSU Bachelor of Science in Mathematics – 1972 WTSU Master of Science in Mathematics and Physics – 1975 Certifications in Educational Leadership Superintendent of the Amarillo Independent School District since 2000 2009 President Elect - Texas School Alliance Marsha Sharp WTSU Master of Education - 1976 Head Coach Emeritus-Texas Tech University 1982–2006 Head Coach-Texas Tech University Lady Raiders 1993 & 1994 National Coach of the Year Seven Time SWC/Big 12 Coach of the Year 2003 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame 1999 Texas Women’s Hall of Fame & 2000 Texas Sports Hall of Fame J. Pat Stephens WTSU Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education – 1960 WTSU Master of Arts in Government – 1962 Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration - University of Missouri – 1970 WTAMU Professor and Public Administration Program Director 1969 - 1998 Canyon City Commissioner 1973 - 1997 WTAMU Professor Emeritus Geneva Schaeffer WTSU Bachelor of Science in Social Studies-1955 Community Leader and Philanthropist WTAMU Foundation Board of Directors 1994-2002 WTAMU Old Main Society Pinnacle Award – 2005 2006 Outstanding Philanthropist- Association of Fundraising Professionals Claudia D. Stravato WTSU Bachelor of Science in Political Science - 1974 WTSU Master of Arts in Political Science -1978 Deputy Comptroller of Texas 1983 - 1990 Chief of Staff to the Lt. Governor of Texas 1991 - 1993 1994 Woman of the Year - Executive Women in Texas Government 2005 Award Recipient - Women Making a Difference in the Texas Panhandle WTAMU Adjunct Faculty Jimmie H. Vaughn WTSU Bachelor of Science in Education - 1972 Graduate of the United States Army War College - 2009 Senior Strategic Human Resources Advisor National Security Professional Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy Media Spokesperson–American Forces Network, Europe
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