College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students honored

Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences students collected some of the university’s highest honors during the Texas A&M University Spring Recognition Ceremony on May 7, including the prestigious Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award.

Brittley Bowers ’25, Department of Animal Science, was selected from among 14 senior student nominees across the university to receive the Brown-Rudder Award, which is presented to no more than two Aggies yearly. The award recognizes graduating seniors who exemplify leadership, patriotism, fortitude, courage and humility.

In addition to Bowers, students were recognized as honor recipients and national scholars.

“We are extremely proud of Brittley for receiving this prestigious award and all our scholars. Their academic journey demonstrates the wide breadth of what students can experience in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award

The Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award was established through a gift from the Brown Foundation of Houston. Award winners must demonstrate a willingness to uphold the Texas A&M Core Values embodied by Lt. Col. James Earl Rudder ’32, a World War II hero and past Texas A&M president.

Bowers, of Fredericksburg, is an animal science major with minors in agricultural communications and journalism and agrifood sales with a certificate in meat science. She has completed seven internships since 2022 and now plans to pursue her master’s in meat science and animal health, with a goal of a career in the beef industry.

Bowers is concluding her year of service as the College’s Student Council president, serving the prior year as vice president of leadership. In 2024, she earned the Outstanding Junior Award and was selected to serve in the College’s Ambassadors program.

Goldwater Scholarship/Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

Lisa Rollinson ’25, a student in the Department of Entomology, was honored for receiving two national recognitions: the Goldwater Scholarship and the Udall Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship that supports outstanding college sophomores and juniors pursuing research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship is a prestigious award honoring Congressman Morris K. Udall’s legacy of environmental protection. The scholarship supports students who are passionate about the environment.

Undergraduate Research Ambassadors

Ashley Smith ’25 and Travis Richard ’25, both students in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, represented the College as Undergraduate Research Ambassadors. Ambassadors from multiple disciplines are chosen each year, trained in presentation and leadership, and represent the Office of Undergraduate Research at research, recruiting and outreach events.

Beckman Scholar

Richard was also recognized as a graduating Beckman Scholar. The Beckman Foundation supports researchers and institutions as they create new chemical and biological research areas. Beckman Scholars receive a stipend and begin their research careers prior to their sophomore year, continuing their projects through graduation. They participate in leadership development, networking opportunities, scientific research review and publication, and preparation for National Fellowship and graduate or professional school applications.

University Honors Program

The first-year experience in the University Honors Program is important in developing many of our Honors Students. The programming in the Honors Housing Community would not be possible without the volunteer hours of our Sophomore Advisors and Junior Advisors.

Student leaders from the College were Alexa Frei ’25, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and Kaylee Garcia ’25, Department of Entomology.

The Department of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agricultural Leadership and Development, Department of Animal Science, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Entomology and Department of Nutrition recognized the following honor students:

Honors in Agricultural Economics

— Rachael Detten ’25: Major – agribusiness, Minor – communication, certificate in international trade and agriculture.
— Sydney Green ’25: Major – agricultural economics, Minor – business.
— Trinity O’Brien ’25: Major – agricultural economics, Minor – agricultural communications and journalism, certificate in international trade and agriculture.
— Sadie Peeler ’25: Major – agricultural economics.
— Harleigh Strack ’25: Major – agricultural economics, Minors – agribusiness entrepreneurship and agrifood sales.– Jacey Weinheimer ’25: Major – agribusiness.

Honors in Agricultural Leadership and Development

— Chaney McCollum ’25: Majors – agricultural communications and journalism, and agriculture leadership and development, Honors Fellow, Undergraduate Research Scholar.

Honors in Animal Science

— Alix Armey ’25: Major – animal science, Minor – entomology.
— Karen Anzaldua Ayala ’25: Major – animal science.
— Audrey Bensmiller ’25: Major – animal science.
— Brittley Bowers ’25: Major – animal science, Minors – agricultural communications and journalism and agricultural economics, certificate in meat science.
— Elena Cotton-Betteridge ’25: Major – animal science, Minor – equine science.
— Avery Flanagan ’25: Major – animal science, Minor – biomedical sciences, certificate in meat science.
— Elise Guerra ’25: Major – animal science, Minor – horticulture.
— Zachary Hoelscher ’25: Bachelor’s Degrees: biomedical sciences and animal science, certificate in meat science, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Rachel Kuhlman ’25: Major – animal science, certificate in equine science.
— Amelia Miller ’25: Major – animal science, certificate in meat science, undergraduate research scholar.
— Emmalee Mohler ’25: Major – animal science, Minor – business.
— Claudia Montemayor ’25: Major – animal science.
— Mia Natoli ’25: Major – animal science.
— Gabriella Reisman ’25: Major – animal science, Minor – biomedical sciences.
— Elise Stovall ’25: Major – animal science, Minor – agricultural economics, certificate in meat science.

Honors in Bioenvironmental Sciences

— Mary Cowser ’25: Major – bioenvironmental sciences, a certificate in philosophy pre-law.
— Madeleine Renard ’25: Major – bioenvironmental sciences.

Honors in Entomology

— Lisa Rollinson ’25: Major – entomology, Minors – biology and statistics, Honors Fellow, Undergraduate Research Scholar.

Honors in Forensic Investigative Sciences

— Fernando Espinoza ’25: Major – forensic and investigative sciences, Minors – anthropology and pre-medicine.
— Jacey D. Freeman ’25: Major – forensic and investigative sciences, Minor – chemistry.
— Kaylee Garcia ’25: Bachelor’s Degrees: forensic and investigative sciences and sociology.
— Melissa Guerra ’25: Major – forensic and investigative sciences, Minors – biomedical sciences and chemistry.
— Jordan James ’25: Major – forensic and investigative sciences, Minors – cybersecurity and psychology.
— Angela Lubrano ’25: Major – forensic and investigative sciences.
— Katelyn Preston ’25: Major – forensic and investigative sciences, Minors – chemistry and sociology.
— Haley Russell ’25: Major – forensic and investigative sciences, Minor – psychology.
— Kathy Truong ’25: Major – forensic and investigative sciences, Minor – anthropology, Honors Fellow, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Kimberly Umana Sosa ’25: Major – forensic and investigative sciences, Minor – anthropology.

Nutrition Honors

— Elle De Los Santos ’25: Major – nutrition, Minor – English.
— Jennie Kim ’25: Major – nutrition, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Jane Moore ’25: Major – nutrition.
— Juliana Sierra ’25: Major –- nutrition.
— Josephine Thompson ’25: Major – nutrition, Minor – Spanish.

University-level distinctions

— Aditi Chadha ’25: Major – biochemistry, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— D’Marco De Leon ’25: Major – biochemistry, Honors Fellow, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Jake Fields ’25: Majors – biochemistry and genetics, Minor – bioinformatics, Honors Fellow, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Alexa Frei ’25: Majors – genetics and biochemistry, Minor – statistics, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Kaitlynn Hughes ’25: Major – agricultural economics, Minor – economics, certificate in international trade and agriculture, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Matthia Klatt ’25: Major — biochemistry, Minors – German and neuroscience, Honors Fellow, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Kaitlyn Nguyen ’25: Major – nutrition, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Maria Perez De Alejo ’25: Major – biochemistry, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Travis Richard ’25: Major – biochemistry, Minors – genetics and chemistry, Honors Fellow, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Reed Rivera ’25: Major – genetics and microbiology, Minor – bioinformatics, certificate in biomedical research, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Ashley Smith ’25: Major – genetics, Minor – public health, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Gage Strozier ’25: Major – horticulture, Undergraduate Research Scholar.
— Isabella Truong ’25: Major – biochemistry, Minor – German, Honors Fellow, Undergraduate Research Scholar.