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Josh Tucker and Rosa Ramirez among 2025 academic award winners

PLAINVIEW — ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓÆµ Baptist University celebrated its students' academic achievements at an awards chapel service held Wednesday, April 30. The ceremony recognized students from various academic schools and programs, with special emphasis on the Citizenship Awards and Freshman of the Year Awards.

The Citizenship Award, the university's highest honor, is based on Christian Citizenship, academic excellence, diversity of interest, loyalty to American ideals, personal integrity, and personal exemplification of the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓÆµ spirit. This award is presented to one graduating male and female. Donna Hedgepath, President, presented this year’s recipients — Rosa Ramirez and Joshua Tucker.

A Senior from Lubbock, Ramirez is majoring in Music. She has served as Secretary of Elections and Records and President of the Student Government Association, Secretary for the Council of Student Organizations, and Secretary and Historian for ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓÆµ Choirs. She is ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓÆµ Chapel Worship Team Leader, a Baptist Student Ministry worship leader, and served as BSM state team leader in 2023. She went on mission with ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓÆµ to Africa twice, as well as on Beach Reach and in McAllen and Reynosa, Mexico.

A senior from Childress, Tucker was a varsity basketball player for three years, serving as team captain in his final season. His leadership and excellence both on and off the court earned him the prestigious Daktronics Basketball Scholar-Athlete recognition for two years, as well as the Wallace and Janis Davis Award of the Spirit given to a student-athlete for his spirit, courage, and commitment. He was named Communications Student of the Year for two years and has appeared on the President's List for five semesters. He also serves as a President's Ambassador. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a co-host for The Reporter Show on YouTube.

Jeffrey Vera, Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services, presented the Rory Allgood Thomas Impact Scholarship to the Outstanding Freshman Girls, Emily Ackerman, and the Outstanding Freshman Boy, Jarrett Lynch.

Dr. Cindy McClenagan, Vice President of Academic Affairs recognized students were honored with awards in their respective academic schools. The include:

School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

  • Alexander Pena, History
  • Brett Leach, History Education (7-12)
  • Brayden Welch, Social Studies Composite (7-12)
  • Sebastion Balderas & David Snellgrove, Political Science
  • Malarie Dominguez, Psychology
  • Michael Davis, Sociology
  • Abcde Garcia, Criminal Justice Administration

School of Business

  • Tatum Feigle, Accounting
  • Christina Sandlin, Business Administration
  • Andrea Gutierrez-Melo, Business Analytics
  • Brais Sotelo Gonzalez, Digital Marketing
  • Joshua Sylliaasen, Economics
  • Rennan Sousa, Finance
  • Aiyana Woods, Health Care Administration
  • Ryan Middleton, Management Information Systems/Cyber Security
  • Maliki Owens, Management
  • Aaron Debus, Sports Management
  • Brayden Peyton, Marketing

Don A. Williams School of Education

  • Andrea Baeza, Elementary Education
  • Calista Garcia, Middle School Education
  • Alice Conely, Secondary Education
  • Cooper Trolinger, All-Level Education
  • Riley Watson, Exercise Sports Science

School of Creative Arts

  • Selma Sutaj, Two Dimensional Art
  • Brandon Williams, Graphic Design
  • Mikayla Shires, Media
  • Joshua Tucker, Communication Studies
  • Jazmin Ortega, Vocal Performance
  • Jazmin Ortega, Choral Music Education

School of Languages and Literature

  • Tate House, Spanish
  • Trinity Conard Davis, Humanities
  • Jamal Johnshon, Creative Leadership
  • Fade Ogunbade, English

Kenneth L. Mattox School of Math and Science

  • Hayde Gallardo, Biology
  • Allison Alvarez-Garcia, Chemistry
  • Benjamin Lubker, Mathematics
  • Jaitlynn Sherman, Molecular Biology
  • Mia Arceneaux, Computer Science
  • Andrea Quick, Environmental Science
  • Adrianna Rich, J.H. ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓÆµ Medical Award

School of Christian Studies

  • Ryan Wood, Theological Studies
  • Ashley Ortiz, Christian Ministry
  • Kelsey Connor, Co-Vocational Ministry
  • Dawson Mailey, Amelia Bishop Women's Ministerial Award
  • Micah Rodriquez Vega, Boyd Award
  • Taylor Ramage, Timothy Award

Holli Wauson, Director of Undergraduate Admission, presented Pioneer Scholar Awards to Devin Acosta, Alice Conely, Jose Escamilla, Cooper Trolinger, and Ryan Wood. She also presented Centennial Awards to Randall Burnett and Aspen DeHerrera.

Shawn Thomas, Interim Vice President of Operations and ÁÔÆæÖØ¿ÚÊÓÆµ, presented Spinning Wheel Awards to Devin Acosta, Matthew Alarcon, K'Dee Bailey, Jayden Burch, Randall Burnett, Branson Cole, Haley Fossett, Jazmin Ortega, Rosa Ramirez, and Avery Shinkle for demonstrating campus leadership while maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.0.