Sixteen students at Sul Ross State University have been awarded a total of $130,000 in scholarships through the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) and Borderlands Research Foundation. These scholarships come from nine different sources and are designed to support students involved in conservation and wildlife management research.
“As another semester gets rolling, our students are already hard at work with their classwork and their research projects, and this is welcome news for them,” said Dr. Louis A. Harveson, the Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., Endowed Director of BRI. “Many take out loans as they finish up their studies, and they are so appreciative of the support from the many fine organizations and donors who make these scholarships available. It is truly an investment in the future of conservation.”
The recipients, both graduate and undergraduate students, are part of BRI’s programs, offering unique opportunities to work with wildlife professionals and conservation partners. Their hands-on experiences include habitat restoration projects and wildlife management, focusing on species like grassland birds, pronghorn, and mule deer. Students completing the graduate program receive a master’s degree in Range and Wildlife Management from Sul Ross State University, preparing them for roles in state and federal resource agencies, private consulting, ranches, and education.
Currently, BRI graduates influence wildlife management decisions on over 31 million acres in Texas, accounting for about 20% of the state’s acreage.
Scholarship Recipients and Sources:
- BRI 15th Anniversary Scholarship: Asia Cornelius, Nicole Dickan, Jesse Ellgren, Andres Solorio Pulido, David Tønnessen
- Franklin and Virginia Law Scholarship: Audrey Taulli
- Linda and Curtis Neeley Scholarship: Eduardo Santoya, Jon Lomas
- San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship: Ty Goodwin, Andrew Dotray, Audrey Taulli, Emily Blumentritt
- Virginia Matthews Law Endowed Scholarship: Emily Blumentritt
- Wayne and JoAnn Moore Endowed Scholarship: Andrew Dotray, Gray Hancock, Hayley Shultz
- Wes and Victoria Bannister Scholarship: Hailey Barton, Eliana Dykehouse, Ty Goodwin
- West Texas Safari Club International Endowed Scholarship: Elle Sutherland
Since its establishment in 2007, the Borderlands Research Institute has been dedicated to promoting effective land stewardship of the Chihuahuan Desert. Housed at Sul Ross State University, BRI collaborates with private landowners, the university’s natural resource program, and various state, federal, and non-governmental organizations to conserve Texas’s last frontier. Through research, education, and outreach, BRI continues to make a significant impact on wildlife conservation in the Southwest.
