| April 16, 2012
COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@mail.wtamu.edu
University Names 25 LEAD Scholars
CANYON, Texas—Twenty-five students in majors ranging from pre-engineering to sports and exercise sciences have been named to the inaugural cohort of West Texas A&M University’s new leadership program LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) WT. Forty-nine students applied for the program, and committee members pared the group down to 25 based on application and interview. The cohort will be recognized at a special luncheon May 11 before beginning the two-year program in the fall. A second cohort of 25 will be named in spring 2013. LEAD WT, funded through a $188,021 grant from the Texas Pioneer Foundation, is designed to help students develop leadership potential through coursework, student service and real world application. LEAD WT students will spend approximately 10-15 hours per month meeting program requirements that include four credit hours in leadership courses as well as eight credit hours of approved courses within the student’s major. Students also will complete 60 hours of leadership service and a campus or community project. Real world application requirements include an approved internship as well as participation in events that include an etiquette dinner and networking event. Students completing the program will receive a leadership certificate, and it will be noted on their transcripts that they have completed a Certification in Leadership from WTAMU. “It was difficult deciding on just 25 students, as all 49 applicants were exceptional,” Amber Black, LEAD WT coordinator, said. “We are so proud to announce this diverse group of LEAD Scholars. They are bright, engaged and compassionate, and we are excited to work with them to help further develop their leadership potential.” The 25 students named to the inaugural LEAD WT cohort are listed by hometown, classification and major. Abilene
Josh Olvera, sophomore criminal justice major
Amarillo
Cara Acciaioli, sophomore mass communication-advertising/public relations major
Benton Allen, sophomore pre-engineering major
Brittany Castillo, freshman communication studies major
Danielle Coffey, junior chemistry major
Tanner Lakey, junior sports and exercise sciences major
Austin
Samantha Hearn, sophomore agribusiness/equine industry and business major
Canyon
Jared Wesley, junior pre-engineering major
Cotton Center
Kelby Koelder, sophomore agricultural media and communication
Evanston, Wyo.
Donovan Degnan, junior chemistry major
Friona
Brittny Herbert, sophomore mass communication-advertising/public relations major
Graham
Briana Harvell, sophomore psychology major
Grapevine
Alyssa Lemos, junior pre-medicine major
Gunter
Rikki Boelens, junior pre-engineering major
Karaganda Kazakhstan
Vitaliy Skorodziyevskiy, sophomore general business major
Montalba
Leif Knippers, sophomore finance major
Olton
Madison Parkey, sophomore education major
Palmdale, Calif.
Trenton Kelly, freshman pre-engineering major
Quanah
Marley Sparkman, freshman agricultural media and communication major
Satanta, Kan.
Jayce Apsley, junior agricultural media and communication major
Slaton
Ryan Heinrich, sophomore plant, soil and environmental science major
St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Olivia Trabysh, freshman English major
Vega
Roger Morris, junior plant, soil and environmental science major
Victorville, Calif.
Clinton Combs, sophomore sports and exercise sciences major
Wichita Falls
Kathryn Spruiell, sophomore mass communication-advertising/public relations major For more information about LEAD WT, contact Black at ablack@wtamu.edu or at 806-651-2048. —WTAMU— | 