Five esteemed members of the faculty and staff of Sul Ross State University have been recognized with the La Vida Lobo Award. The award celebrates employee-driven initiatives that ardently support and further the mission of the university. Each recipient will be bestowed with $1,000 as a token of appreciation for their imaginative projects geared towards improving student recruitment, retention, and graduation rates.
Below is a snapshot of the honorees and their commendable projects:
Dr. Jessica Velasco: “SRSU and AHS United to Promote Democracy” Receiving a Civic Engagement grant from Pi Sigma Alpha, Dr. Velasco collaborated with Alpine High School’s senior class. The project encompassed acquainting these students with the voting process. Various university entities, including the McNair Scholars Program, the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and the Office of Civic Engagement, were involved, enriched by the presence of a Brewster County volunteer voter registrar.
Dr. Melissa Wesney: “Book Box Buddy” Dr. Wesney’s endeavor fostered community ties. Through “Book Box Buddy,” she and her students gifted 15 kindergarteners from Alpine Elementary School with a personal book and a reading buddy. This initiative highlighted the sheer delight of reading while bridging a connection between Sul Ross State and the local elementary school.
Anita Banegas: “Lions Club ‘Lead with Compassion’ contest” Banegas was at the helm of an essay contest focusing on compassionate leadership. The project not only revealed the diverse interpretations of “compassion” among students but also fortified the bond between the local students and the broader community, with Sul Ross State at the center of this collaboration.
Rebecca Percoco: “Commencement Closet” In a bid to aid students, Percoco curated the “Commencement Closet” – a collection of gently-used graduation regalia. The initiative garnered $350 in donations, alongside valuable contributions like clothing racks from the community and local businesses. For Percoco, the triumph lay not just in gathering resources but in meticulous planning and adeptly addressing challenges.
Dr. April Ortiz: “STEM project” Geared toward fostering STEM interest among Uvalde area students aged 9-18, Dr. Ortiz’s project spanned a series of hands-on workshops. Executed at the Texas A&M University Agrilife Center, these sessions, led by local STEM professionals, delved into intriguing topics like graph theory and conic sections. The workshops also incorporated a college night where Uvalde-based students pursuing STEM degrees shared insights into the college admission process.
Sul Ross State University’s commitment to community engagement, education, and fostering future leaders is evident in these initiatives. The La Vida Lobo Award, by recognizing and rewarding such endeavors, undoubtedly inspires further innovation among the faculty and staff.
