WTAMU equestrian team wins national championship

West Texas A&M University's Western Seat equestrian team is the national champion following May 1 to 3 competition at the 2026 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association finals. Pictured are, from left, Ashton Hollingsworth, Peyton Podmolik, Violet Hodgson, Kaylen Langhofer, Kaitlyn Evans, Ashlynn Albaugh, Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, Marina Carroll, Alexandria Woestman, Charli Wells, Hannah Minton, Helene Keiser and Coach Lori Jaixen.

West Texas A&M University's Departments of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and Psychology, Sociology and Social Work honored its top students recently. Among the winners of outstanding student awards were, from left, Kathleen Curry and Christian Morris, both for social studies education.

Several West Texas A&M University faculty members were recognized for outstanding service to the University by the Office of Academic Affairs. Top award winners were, from left, Dr. Jeremy Lewis, Dr. Andrew Li, Dr. Elizabeth Rogers, Dr. Keshav Shrestha, Dr. Michelle Bartlett and Dr. Anirban Pal.

The WT Hunt Seat team recently placed third overall and advanced several riders to nationals. Members are, from left, Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, Hannah Minton, Lexi Woestman, Leah Tate, Violet Hodgson, Kaylen Langhofer, Sabrina Welch , Jayden Stater, Lori Jaixen, Catherine Borchardt, Ashley Vaught and Jenna Arens.

Katelyn Lechwar, left, and Luis Abraham Martinez Jr. were named West Texas A&M University Woman and Man of the Year at an April 24 celebration.

West Texas A&M University's Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business recently honored students at a year-end symposium. Student awardees included, back from left, Maylee Wertz, Heidi Giesbrecht, Oscar Martinez and Paul Harrington; and, front from left, Tory Trahern, Leah Aviles and Viola Boyd. Not pictured are Jesus Torres, Scott Miller, Kelsie Cox, Austin Gabel, Landry Ritchey, Holly Cordell and Yudith Aranda.

West Texas A&M University survey team members Karla Berkshire, from left, Kaston Hawkins and Dylan Furman will compete June 25 to 27 at the American Society of Civil Engineers Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute’s national surveying competition.

The West Texas A&M University Ranch Horse Team took home its second consecutive national championship at the National Intercollegiate Ranch & Stock Horse Association competition. Team members are, front from left, Sydnee Wilson, Tess Lewis, Haylee Triplitt, Lela Chisholm, Isabella Ayers, Ashley Wortham, Elizabeth Iandoli, Bayleigh Leathers and Cutter McLaughlin, and, back from left, Head Coach Lance Baker, Coach Sidney Dunkel, Chloe Rourke, Kennedy Hill, Grace Hyde, Payton Porterfield, Marin McCarthy, Avery Turner, Bella Bridges, Parker Ralston, Kailey Roberts and Kaylea Marionneaux.

The West Texas A&M University Forensics Team placed fifth in the small schools division at the American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament. Pictured are, from left, Kyla Holt, August Vinson, Izzy Lewis and Dr. Kelsey Abele, coach.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

West Texas A&M University's Department of Communication recently celebrated its successes at an end-of-year banquet. Award-winning students included, from left, Madison Peters, Outstanding Undergraduate; Rebecca Hayes, Top Senior Portfolio; and Jessica Kenedy, Outstanding Graduate Student. Not pictured is Lindsey Carder, Rising Star winner.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

West Texas A&M University's Department of Communication recently celebrated its successes at an end-of-year banquet. Award-winning students included, from left, Madison Peters, Outstanding Undergraduate; Rebecca Hayes, Top Senior Portfolio; and Jessica Kenedy, Outstanding Graduate Student. Not pictured is Lindsey Carder, Rising Star winner.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

Amanda Hibbard, left, and Samantha Wilhelm, right, celebrate a recent second-place national finish in a Public Relations Student Society of America competition. Also pictured is adviser Dr. Nancy García-Franken.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

Jarvis Hampton, from left, Melissa White and Kyler Estes were saluted with Staff Excellence Awards at an April 30 year-end celebration at West Texas A&M University.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

Dr. Brandon Bang, left, was given a special award recognizing his position as leader of the Faculty Advisory Council. Dr. Trenton Kelly was given the Geneva Schaeffer Digital Teaching Excellence Award.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

West Texas A&M University's College of Nursing and Health Sciences recently honored its top students of the year at an April 30 reception. Award-winning students included, back from left, Adrian Legarreta, Gatlin Guy, Parker Steinman, Ella Scantlin, Avery Cannon, Raegan Walter and Madi-Lynne Englund; and, front from left, Stephanie Cruth, Sidney Perkins, Marlee Hicks, Elisa Atkinson, Reagan Caddell and Zainab Khadeeja.

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WTAMU equestrian team wins national championship

West Texas A&M University's Western Seat equestrian team is the national champion following May 1 to 3 competition at the 2026 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association finals. Pictured are, from left, Ashton Hollingsworth, Peyton Podmolik, Violet Hodgson, Kaylen Langhofer, Kaitlyn Evans, Ashlynn Albaugh, Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, Marina Carroll, Alexandria Woestman, Charli Wells, Hannah Minton, Helene Keiser and Coach Lori Jaixen.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

West Texas A&M University's Departments of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and Psychology, Sociology and Social Work honored its top students recently. Among the winners of outstanding student awards were, from left, Kathleen Curry and Christian Morris, both for social studies education.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

Several West Texas A&M University faculty members were recognized for outstanding service to the University by the Office of Academic Affairs. Top award winners were, from left, Dr. Jeremy Lewis, Dr. Andrew Li, Dr. Elizabeth Rogers, Dr. Keshav Shrestha, Dr. Michelle Bartlett and Dr. Anirban Pal.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

The WT Hunt Seat team recently placed third overall and advanced several riders to nationals. Members are, from left, Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, Hannah Minton, Lexi Woestman, Leah Tate, Violet Hodgson, Kaylen Langhofer, Sabrina Welch , Jayden Stater, Lori Jaixen, Catherine Borchardt, Ashley Vaught and Jenna Arens.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

Katelyn Lechwar, left, and Luis Abraham Martinez Jr. were named West Texas A&M University Woman and Man of the Year at an April 24 celebration.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

West Texas A&M University's Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business recently honored students at a year-end symposium. Student awardees included, back from left, Maylee Wertz, Heidi Giesbrecht, Oscar Martinez and Paul Harrington; and, front from left, Tory Trahern, Leah Aviles and Viola Boyd. Not pictured are Jesus Torres, Scott Miller, Kelsie Cox, Austin Gabel, Landry Ritchey, Holly Cordell and Yudith Aranda.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

West Texas A&M University survey team members Karla Berkshire, from left, Kaston Hawkins and Dylan Furman will compete June 25 to 27 at the American Society of Civil Engineers Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute’s national surveying competition.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

The West Texas A&M University Ranch Horse Team took home its second consecutive national championship at the National Intercollegiate Ranch & Stock Horse Association competition. Team members are, front from left, Sydnee Wilson, Tess Lewis, Haylee Triplitt, Lela Chisholm, Isabella Ayers, Ashley Wortham, Elizabeth Iandoli, Bayleigh Leathers and Cutter McLaughlin, and, back from left, Head Coach Lance Baker, Coach Sidney Dunkel, Chloe Rourke, Kennedy Hill, Grace Hyde, Payton Porterfield, Marin McCarthy, Avery Turner, Bella Bridges, Parker Ralston, Kailey Roberts and Kaylea Marionneaux.

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WT celebrates spring 2026 awards and honors

The West Texas A&M University Forensics Team placed fifth in the small schools division at the American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament. Pictured are, from left, Kyla Holt, August Vinson, Izzy Lewis and Dr. Kelsey Abele, coach.

With commencement ceremonies about a week away, West Texas A&M University in Canyon has been busy celebrating the achievements of various students, faculty and staff for the 2026 spring semester.

For more about these awards and honors, as well as the full lists of those awarded honors, scholarships and more, visit the WT newsroom website.

WT Equestrian Team wins national championship

WT's Western Seat equestrian team is the national champion following the 2026 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association finals, held May 1-3 at the Tryon International equestrian center in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

“Coach Lori Jaixen and all the team members are proud Buffs who exemplify the best of WT through their dedication, skill and enthusiasm,” said Dr. David Lust, professor of agricultural science and head of the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

West Texas A&M University's Western Seat equestrian team is the national champion following May 1 to 3 competition at the 2026 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association finals. Pictured are, from left, Ashton Hollingsworth, Peyton Podmolik, Violet Hodgson, Kaylen Langhofer, Kaitlyn Evans, Ashlynn Albaugh, Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein, Marina Carroll, Alexandria Woestman, Charli Wells, Hannah Minton, Helene Keiser and Coach Lori Jaixen.

• Helene Keiser was named the champion team open horsemanship rider, reserve champion in team reining, and eighth in individual reining.
• Marina Carroll was third in team ranch riding. Peyton Podmolik, a junior animal science major from Pella, Iowa, was seventh in the “Back on Track Highpoint Rider” contest.
• Violet Hodgson was the champion in team rookie horsemanship.
• Charli Wells was reserve champion in team level 1 horsemanship and fourth in team level 2 horsemanship. Ashlynn Albaugh shared the reserve championship in team level 1 horsemanship and also placed fifth in individual rookie horsemanship.
• Caoimhe Benn-Rothstein was seventh in individual level 2 horsemanship. Kaylen Langhofer was sixth in team beginner horsemanship. Kaitlyn Evans was 10th in individual open horsemanship.
• Ashton Hollingsworth was the first Western Seat recipient of the IHSA Quiet Champion Award.
• In the Hunt Seat competition, Lexi Woestman was ninth in limited flat. Hannah Minton also competed in intermediate fences.

WT social science students win $150,000-plus in scholarships

More than $150,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students in WT's Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice and Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work.

The departments, which are housed in the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, also recognized their outstanding students for the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Criminal Justice: Kate Burnett, from Lubbock
• Emergency Management Administration: Ryland Ruffner, from Pittsburg; and Nathan Kennedy, from Bryan
• Master of Public Administration: Grace Shelton, from Bryan
• Political Science: Emily Liskai, from Waterville, Ohio; and Kaizer Mahaffee, from Dumas
• Psychology: Olha Humeniuk, from Amarillo; and Riven Robinson, from Sundown
• Social Studies education: Kathleen Curry, from Andrews; and Christian Morris, from Amarillo
• Sociology: Ariella Aguirre, from Lubbock
• Social Work (graduate): Tiffany Hunter, from Amarillo; Savanna McPherson, from Pampa; and Angela Snow, from Amarillo
• Social Work (undergraduate): Dana Hernandez, from Amarillo

WT faculty honored for institutional service at year-end event

Several WT faculty members were recognized for outstanding service to the university at a year-end gathering. Awardees, who were celebrated May 1, were given $3,000 honorariums.

Among them, Dr. Jeremy Lewis, professor of low brass, and Dr. Anirban Pal, assistant professor of engineering, were presented the Instructional Responsibilities Excellence Award. Dr. Elizabeth Rogers, assistant professor of counseling, earned the Professional Service Award. Dr. Keshav Shrestha, assistant professor of physics, and Dr. Michelle Bartlett, professor of sports and exercise science, won the Intellectual Contributions Excellence Award.

Dr. Andrew Li, the Williams Professor of Management, won the Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award. Dr. Brandon Bang, associate professor of criminal justice in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, was given special recognition as leader of the new Faculty Advisory Council. Dr. Trenton Kelly, assistant professor of engineering, was presented the inaugural Geneva Schaeffer Digital Teaching Excellence Award.

WT’s nursing and health sciences students, faculty honored

WT's College of Nursing and Health Sciences honored top students and faculty at a year-end celebration.

Nursing students recognized were Gatlin Guy from Wellington, Parker Steinman from Amarillo, Sirrah Harris from Lubbock, Zainab Khadeeja from Amarillo, Jessica Aguilar from Hereford, Reagan Caddell from Amarillo, Stephanie Cruth from Amarillo, Madison Nance from Lubbock, and Bittany Omer from Amarillo.

Speech and Hearing Sciences students recognized were Ella Scantlin from Canyon, Sidney Perkins from Amarillo, Ashton Skiles from Dalhart, Elisa Atkinson from Amarillo, and Marlee Hicks from Sweetwater.

Sports and Exercise Sciences students recognized were Adrian Legarreta from Friona, Madi-Lynne Englund from Slaton, Avery Cannon from Frisco, Raegan Walter from Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, and Lexi Maul from Pampa.

Health Sciences students recognized were Blessing Akintoye from Ogun State, Nigeria, and, for the RELLIS campus, Trent Wiatrek from Poth.

Faculty members recognized were Dr. Michelle Bartlett, professor of sports and exercise sciences, for research; Landon Brown, instructor of speech and hearing sciences, for service; and Austin Wiseman, the Northwest Texas Healthcare System / Eunice King Professor of Nursing, for teaching excellence.

WT PRSSA students earn second place in national competition

Two WT students earned second place in a national public relations competition.

Amanda Hibbard, a senior public relations, advertising and applied communication major from Cloudcroft, New Mexico, and Samantha Wilhelm, a junior public relations, advertising and applied communication major from Canyon, placed second in the 2026 Public Relations Student Society of America competition.

Both students are members of the WT chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America in the Department of Communication in WT’s Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities.

The competition challenged students to develop a full public relations campaign aimed at increasing membership in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Over five weeks, the WT team created a research-based strategic public relations plan designed to educate current and prospective members about AEJMC and encourage attendance at its 2026 conference in New Orleans in August. The team was notified of its success April 25.

Outstanding WT staff members recognized at year-end gathering

A trio of WT staff members were celebrated by the Office of Academic Affairs at a year-end event. Staff Excellence Award winners were Kyler Estes, associate director of admissions; Jarvis Hampton, assistant vice president of institutional research and effectiveness; and Melissa White, assistant vice president of academic affairs.

Awardees, who were celebrated May 1, were given $3,000 honorariums.

WT communication students honored at year-end festivities

WT's Department of Communication saluted some outstanding students at its recent year-end awards ceremony. Four students were given top honors at the April 30 celebration, and three students earned scholarships.

Madison Peters from Denver City won Outstanding Undergraduate Student. Jessica Kenedy from Wildorado was named Outstanding Graduate Student. Lindsey Carter from Carlsbad, New Mexico, was named winner of the Rising Star Award, and Rebecca Hayes from Midland earned the Top Senior Portfolio award.

Scholarship winners were Anthony Lucero from Lubbock, Dig In Scholarship; Taylor Martindell from Amarillo, A.J. Swope Scholarship; and Nathan Franks from Borger, Dr. Leigh Browning Scholarship.

The event also saw recognition for student organizations, the launch of the Eternal Flame’s spring issue, and more.

In other news:

• Elizabeth Rogers, assistant professor of counseling in the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, was presented the Jan Friese Counselor Advocate of the Year for 2025 by the Texas School Counselor Association.
• Dr. Alex Hunt, director of WT’s Center for the Study of the American West, was inducted as a fellow in the West Texas Historical Association.
• Dr. Mary Liz Brooks and Dr. Leslie Ramos-Salazar, both of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, were invited panelists at the inaugural Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Faculty Innovation and Impact Symposium.
• Dr. Sushil Thapa, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences in the Department of Agricultural Sciences in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, has been elected vice leader of the Semi-Arid Dryland Cropping Systems Community within the American Society of Agronomy.
• Ryann Thompson, instructor of nursing in WT’s Laura and Joe Street School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, won first place among graduate poster presenters at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.
• Five WT faculty members earned more than $15,000 in grants through the University’s Office of Academic Affairs, which will finance travel and professional development for the faculty members beginning this summer: Kayla Alward, Krista Favela, Qi Kang, Dr. Keshav Shrestha, and Dr. B.J. Brooks.

Spring commencement ceremonies are scheduled for May 15 and 16.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: WTAMU celebrations honor students, staff, faculty with awards