Seventeen students at the Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University have been selected to receive $122,750 in scholarships from eleven different sources, including nine scholarships awarded through a special fundraising effort celebrating BRI’s 15th anniversary. The Permian Basin Area Foundation donated a $15,000 challenge grant to fuel that fundraising effort.
“We’re grateful the Permian Basin Area Foundation is supporting the next generation of conservation practitioners and leaders with this challenge grant which was matched with other private donations,” said Dr. Louis A. Harveson, who is the Dan Allen Hughes, Jr., Endowed Director of BRI. “Our students are working hard to finish up their degrees, and many take out loans as they work on their classwork and thesis projects. These scholarships are an investment in the future, and we are grateful for the support of these fine organizations and donors.”
SCHOLARSHIP SOURCE AND RECIPIENTS
BRI 15th Anniversary Scholarship
Hailey Barton
Nicole Dickan
Aaron Ortega Gonzalez
Andres Solorio Pulido
David Tønnessen
Gray Hancock
Audrey Taulli
Andrew Dotray
Asia Cornelius
San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship
Ty Goodwin
Andrew Dotray
Audrey Taulli
Emily Blumentritt
Wayne & JoAnn Moore Endowed Scholarship
Ty Goodwin
Andrew Dotray
Virginia Matthews Law Scholarship
Caleb Hughes
Franklin and Virginia Law Scholarship
Emily Blumentritt
West Texas Safari Club Scholarship
Elle Sutherland
Linda and Curtis Neeley Scholarship
Eduardo Santoya
Jon Lomas
Dan L. Duncan Scholarship (Houston Safari Club)
Nicole Dickan
Elle Sutherland
Alec D. Ritzell Memorial Education Scholarship
Jason Crosby
David Wellborn
AJ Bierschwale Memorial Scholarship
Caleb Hughes
Kacy B. Crain Scholarship
Caleb Hughes
Graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in BRI research programs experience unique opportunities to work side by side with wildlife professionals and conservation partners. These students receive hands-on experience with habitat restoration projects and working with wildlife, including grassland birds, pronghorn, mule deer and more.
Students who graduate from these programs receive a master’s in Range and Wildlife Management from Sul Ross State University. These graduates gain employment with state and federal resource agencies, as well as with private consultants and ranches and as educators. Currently, BRI graduates influence wildlife management decisions on over 31 million acres in Texas, some 20% of the state’s acreage.