WT’s Engler College of Business Recognizes Community, Student Leaders

Chip Chandler May 10, 2024

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WT’s Engler College of Business Recognizes Community, Student Leaders

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Top business students and community leaders were honored at a recent year-end event held by West Texas A&M University’s Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business.

Nearly 100 Buffs were commended as outstanding students or inducted into honor societies ahead of the May 11 commencement ceremonies at the University.

“Our annual year-end symposium is a highlight of our academic calendar, celebrating the excellence and success of our students and showcasing their outstanding achievements across various disciplines within the college,” said Dr. Amjad Abdullat, dean. “Their accomplishments not only fill us with pride but also affirm the transformative power of education and their potential to make significant contributions to society. As they move forward into their futures, they carry with them our best wishes and the undeniable promise of greatness.”

Photo: Cristian Bustillos, a senior finance major from Muleshoe, was named outstanding undergraduate student at the annual symposium held by the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business at West Texas A&M University.

Cristian Bustillos, a senior finance major from Muleshoe, was named outstanding undergraduate student.

“Cristian is an outstanding student who sets an example for those around him,” said Dr. Jonathan Shaffer, the Pickens Professor of Management and associate dean of undergraduate business programs. “Both in the classroom and out if it, he is someone who makes the College of Business a good place to be. We are grateful for his work as an Engler Ambassador representing the College of Business at events, greeting new students and visitors to the College, and helping create community within the college. We wish Christian the best in all his future endeavors.”

Sierra Kane, an MBA student from Amarillo, was named outstanding graduate student.

“Sierra is a stellar student,” said Dr. Robert Allen King, Wilder Professor of Business and associate dean of graduate business programs. “Faculty said that she has an innate desire to learn and excel in her career, and quickly takes action. We wish Sierra the best of luck in all of her future activities, and we are proud we were a part of her academic journey.”

Seven undergraduates also were recognized as outstanding students across the several disciplines in the Engler College of Business:

Accounting: Shae’La McKinley, a senior from Canyon;
Computer Information Systems: Allison Hunter, a senior from Borger;
Economics: Christopher Brooks, a December graduate from Amarillo who’s now pursuing a master’s degree in finance and economics;
Finance: Chelsey Baca, a senior from Amarillo;
General Business: Daniella Ramos, a senior from Amarillo;
Management: Blake Wilson, a senior from Lamar, Colorado; and
Marketing: Aubry Johnson, a senior from Amarillo.

Four graduate students also were honored as outstanding students:

Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics: Josh Correa from Amarillo;
MBA: Mehrdad Samimi from Karaj, Iran;
Finance and Economics: Emma Rector from Friona; and
Professional Accounting: Emma Weinheimer from Groom.

Abdullat also presented significant community leaders with special awards.

Gene Sanders, a 1970 WT graduate, was given the Ambassador Award, celebrating his long support of WT through the J.W. & Nell Foust Memorial Ink Cup Golf Tournament, which has raised nearly a quarter-million dollars for scholarships for business students

Stewart, Martin, Dudley & Web accounting firm was given the Employer of the Year Award for advancing internship and employment opportunities for Engler College students.

Tyler Young, who earned degrees in accounting and finance and economics at WT and is a wealth adviser and manager of investment research at SFMG Wealth Advisors in Dallas, was given the Horizon Alumnus Award for reaching significant career advancement in an early stage of a career.

Charles and Evelyn Lyles were given the Legacy Award for providing support to Engler College students. They established a memorial scholarship for computer information sciences majors in the memory of their son, Carey Lyles.

Student leadership awards were presented to outstanding members of various organizations: Joseph Gonzales, a graduate accounting student from Amarillo, for Accounting & Finance Association; Raul Garcia, a junior computer information systems major from Rialto, California, for American Marketing Association Club; Fernanda Garcia, a junior from Dumas, for Association of Latino Professionals for America; Darrian Lambert, a senior from Amarillo, for BuffTeks Club; Kaycee Sultemeier, a senior from Fort Sumner, New Mexico, for the Chartered Financial Analysts Research Challenge team; Bailey Herring Sanders, a senior economics major from Amarillo, for Economics Club; Jeanine Fabbri, a senior from Canadian, for Media Minds; and Maria Rosado, a senior from Fort Worth, for Society for Human Resource Management.

Also recognized:

Carey Lyles Emerging Technology Award: Kevin Jordan, a senior computer information systems major from Amarillo;
Texas Society of CPAs Accounting Education Foundation Accounting Excellence Award: Micalynn Harrison, a senior accounting major from Amarillo;
Women in Business Leadership Award: Deziree “Dezi” Broadus, a senior major from Amarillo;
Engler Edge Award: Camden Sperry, a sophomore finance major from Happy; and
Engler Ambassador Award: Kyler Wilhelm, a senior management major from Canyon.
Other Engler Ambassadors recognized were Bustillos; Landry Overby, a senior management major from Anson; and Zapryce Johnson, a senior marketing major from Amarillo.

Twenty-eight students were inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business honor society. Students must be in the top 5 to 10 percent of all College of Business students and receive a faculty recommendation. Inductees include:

Kyle Abel, an MBA student from McKinney; Yudith Aranda, a senior accounting major from Seagraves; Brandon Blair, a general business graduate student from Galveston; Rebecca Brooks, a senior accounting major from Amarillo; Erika Cedillos, an MBA student from Kapaau, Hawaii; Kevin Chadderton, a senior computer information systems major from Amarillo; Amy Cobb, an MBA student from Lewes, Delaware; Erin Daly, an MBA student from Califon, New Jersey; Heather Dennis-Wingert, a senior management major from Amarillo; Mikaela Haseloff, a junior marketing major from Shallowater; Allison Hunter, a senior computer information systems major from Borger; Mary Hylton, an MBA student from Forney; Christopher Tanner Johnston, an MBA student from Canyon; Yeongsil Kim, an MBA student from Ulsan, South Korea; Dejohna Mangiameli, a senior economics major from New Waverly; Franklin Martin, an MBA student from Tulare, California; Corbin Orr, an MBA student from Knoxville, Tennessee; Adam Ping, an MBA student from Pocatello, Idaho; Kelsey Price, an MBA student from Seymour; Daniella Ramos, a senior general business major from Amarillo; Kylee Rodriguez, a senior accounting major from Amarillo; Isabella Rovello, a senior marketing major from Richmond; Rakan Saraiji, an MBA student from Fairfax, Virginia; Bradley Sellinger, a senior economics major from Amarillo; Dianne Smilie, a senior management major from Mansfield; Shirley Stigler, a senior management major from Amarillo; Amal Thomas, an MBA student from Albany, New York; and Anne Webster, a graduate student in finance and economics from Homer Glen, Illinois.

Four students were inducted into Alpha Mu Alpha, the marketing honor society of the American Marketing Association. Inductees include Falyn Childers, a senior marketing major from Amarillo; Mehrdad Samimi, an MBA student from Karaj, Iran; Ashley Silvestre, an MBA student from Amarillo; and Matthew Smith, a senior marketing major from Plainview.

Eight students were inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon, one of the world’s biggest international academic honor societies, which recognizes scholastic attainment and honors outstanding achievements in economics. Inductees include:

Kareem Abdelghani, a senior finance major from The Woodlands; Laura Borunda, a senior general business major from Gruver; Marcel Nanfack Ndoumna, a graduate student in finance and economics from Dacula, Georgia; Humphrey Piccus, a graduate student in finance and economics from Amarillo; Elizabeth Renter, a graduate student in finance and economics from Clay Center; Anne Webster, a graduate student in finance and economics from Homer Glen, Illinois; Aiden White, a senior economics major from Claude; and Jason Williams, a senior economics major from Buda.

Twenty-three were inducted into Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the only international honor society in computing and information disciplines. WT’s chapter has won an excellent chapter award for five consecutive years. Inductees include:

Chidinma Aniekwena, a graduate student in computer information systems and business analytics from Anambra State, Nigeria; Amarachi Anthony, a graduate student in computer information systems and business analytics from Grand Prairie; Colton Aycock, a senior computer information systems major from Amarillo; Pradnya Bhere, a graduate student in computer information systems and business analytics from Seattle; Kevin Chadderton, a senior computer information systems major from Amarillo; Arnoldo Gomez, an MBA student from Rosenberg; Jessica Hanke, a junior computer information systems major from Amarillo; Rex Herndon, a graduate student in computer information systems and business analytics from Amarillo; Allison Hunter, a senior computer information systems major from Borger; Bradley Kai, a graduate student in computer information systems and business analytics from Flower Mound; Christopher Kolesar, a graduate student in computer information systems and business analytics from Huffman; Jeremy Kuehler, a graduate student in computer information systems and business analytics from Lubbock; Hunter Lefevre, a senior computer information systems major from Lockney; Tiffenie Mashburn, a senior computer information systems major from Amarillo; Micah May, an MBA student from Riverside, California; John Morton, a senior computer information systems major from Wellington; Alex Paddack, a senior computer information systems major from Amarillo; Prakarsh Patel, a graduate student in general business and computer information systems from St. Louis; Cole Rose, a senior computer information systems major from Logan, New Mexico; Kimberlynn Sundblom, a senior computer information systems major from Amarillo; Vernice Joy Tanquerido, a graduate student in computer information systems and business analytics from Dalhart; Justin Taylor, a graduate student in general business and computer information systems from Corpus Christi; and Penelope Tello, a graduate student in computer information systems and business analytics from Houston.

The 2024 student and community awards symposium was held April 24 in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center.

Recruiting, retaining and rewarding excellent students is a key component of 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’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised nearly $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also 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 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University's Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business recently recognized top students and community leaders at its annual symposium. Among those honored were outstanding graduate students: Sierra Kane, second from left, Emma Rector, Josh Correa and Emma Weinheimer. Also pictured is Dr. Robert Allen King, Wilder Professor of Business and associate dean of graduate business programs

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