Seventeen students at Sul Ross State University’s Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) have been chosen to receive $122,750 in scholarships from 11 different sources, including nine scholarships awarded through a special fundraising drive commemorating BRI’s 15th anniversary. The Permian Basin Area Foundation contributed a $15,000 challenge grant to help in the fundraising efforts.
“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,” Louis A. Harveson, the Dan Allen Hughes Jr. endowed director of BRI, said in a news release. “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.”
BRI 15th anniversary scholarship – Haley Barton; Nicole Dickan; Aaron Ortega Gonzalez; Andres Solorio Pulido; David Tonnessen; 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 have the opportunity to collaborate with wildlife specialists and conservation partners in a unique setting. According to a news release, these students gain hands-on experience with habitat restoration projects and dealing with animals such as grassland birds, pronghorn, mule deer, and others.
Graduates of these programs earn a master’s degree in range and wildlife management from Sul Ross State University.
These graduates find work with state and federal resource agencies, private consultancies and ranches, and as educators. Currently, BRI alumni have an impact on wildlife management decisions on about 31 million acres in Texas, accounting for almost 20% of the state’s land area.