West Texas A&M University honors top students, faculty from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences

CANYON, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The West Texas A&M University College of Nursing and Health Sciences recognized outstanding students and faculty at a year-end reception on April 25.

According to WT officials, the students honored were from each of the College’s departments including the Laura and Joe Street School of Nursing, Speech and Hearing Sciences, Sports and Exercise Sciences, and Health Sciences alongside scholarship recipients, Dean’s and President’s List recipients, and honor graduates.

“We have had a remarkable year in the College, from the celebration of Nursing’s 50th anniversary and renaming as the Street School of Nursing, to the continuing triumphs of our Communication Disorders, Sports and Exercise Sciences and Health Sciences areas,” said Dr. Holly Jeffreys, dean. “We are grateful that we can celebrate these successes together and look forward to another impactful year.”

WT officials stated the students who were honored included:

• Nursing students recognized were:
• Elizabeth Cranfill of Amarillo, Outstanding Junior 1 Student;
• Alexa Dolezal of Amarillo, Outstanding Junior 2 Student;
• Lezley Cummings of Amarillo, Outstanding Senior 1 Student;
• Emili Mora of Muleshoe, Outstanding Senior 2 Student;
• Sandra Estrada of Hereford, Outstanding RN-BSN Student;
• Haley Jones of Perryton, Outstanding Family Nurse Practitioner Student;
• Shayna Stevens of Plano, Outstanding Comprehensive Student; and
• Annette Stacy of Robert Lee, Outstanding Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Student.

• Communication Disorders students recognized were:
• Desiree Sotelo of Amarillo, Outstanding Junior Student;
• Marlee Hicks of Sweetwater, Outstanding Senior Student;
• Rahaf Shawakfeh of Bronson, Outstanding First-Year Graduate Student; and
• Allison Davis of Amarillo, Outstanding Second-Year Graduate Student.

• Sports and Exercise Sciences students recognized were:

• Jack Wilkerson, a senior of Spearman, Outstanding All-Level SES Student;
• Scarlett Gonzalez, a senior of Torreon, New Mexico, Outstanding Athletic Training Student;
• Parker Nielsen, a senior of Prescott, Wisconsin, Outstanding Exercise Sciences Student;
• Heidi Vortherms, a graduate student from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Outstanding Human Performance Student; and
• Melissa Doss of Lubbock, Outstanding Graduate Student.

Other students recognized included Macayla Warren, a senior nursing major of Amarillo, who was presented the BSA Bright Star Student Award by Katrina Tokar, BSA Health System chief nursing officer; and Jonathan Horton, a senior of Amarillo, and, for the RELLIS campus and Haley Goldstone, a senior of College Station were presented as Outstanding Health Sciences students.

WT officials also noted the faculty members recognized included Dr. Traci Fredman, assistant professor in communication disorders, for research; Teresa Smoot, instructor of nursing, for service; and Blake Price, assistant professor of sports and exercise sciences, for teaching.

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