WT Honors Top Faculty, Staff in Year-End Ceremony

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Some of the year’s top West Texas A&M University faculty and staff members recently were honored.

“Winning one of the University awards is a special moment in someone’s professional career, further enhanced by the knowledge they have earned the highest level of respect from their peers, dean, administration and other stakeholders across campus,” said Dr. Neil Terry, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. “These are vital contributors to success at the University and in the Division of Academic Affairs.”

The winners represent each of WT’s six Colleges. Each year faculty members also are recognized in the six academic colleges for accomplishments in the core areas of teaching, research and service.

University-wide recognition demonstrates one of the highest levels of respect a faculty member can achieve based on the nomination and selection process, including input from peers, administrators, students and other campus stakeholders. 

Dr. Kristina Drumheller, professor of communication studies and associate dean for communication, art, theatre and dance, was given the Assessment and Assurance of Learning Award for seeking improvement in learning outcomes and the Department of Communication’s programs.

“Dr. Drumheller went beyond expectations to show that her department was seeking improvement by analyzing the data associated with their interventions and tying those results to their action plans for the upcoming year,” said Jarvis Hampton, assistant vice president for institutional research and effectiveness.

Drumheller joined WT in 2006. Previously, she served as director of graduate studies for the department, and as head for the Department of History. She earned degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Texas State University and Texas Tech University.

Gilbert Antunez, associate director of educator preparation and director of placement for the Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, and Tamara Castagnetta, associate director of scholarships for the Office of Student Financial Services, were given the Academic Affairs Staff Excellence Awards.

“Gilbert works tirelessly to build WT’s education programs, increase student enrollment and enhance the student experience,” said Dr. Betty Coneway, head of the Department of Education and WT’s Geneva Schaeffer Professor of Education and Social Sciences. “He is authentic in his belief that WT offers students a special opportunity to learn and grow in a warm and welcoming environment.”

Antunez, a WT alum, has worked for WT’s Department of Education for more than 20 years. Previously, he worked as an academic adviser and recruiter for the University. He also has served as a Texas Education Administration advisory committee member.

“Tamara excels in her work with both students and staff at WT, bringing a strong sense of dedication and professionalism to everything she does,” said Dana Melcher, executive director of Student Financial Services. “Her passion for history provides her with a unique perspective and valuable insight, particularly when assisting with scholarships.”

Castagnetta, a WT alumna, joined the University staff in 2012 and has worked in scholarship administration since 2015.

Dr. Alee Friemel, the Northwest Texas Healthcare System / Eunice King Professor of Nursing in the Laura and Joe Street School of Nursing in WT’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, was presented the Instructional Excellence Award.

“Alee is an outstanding certified nurse educator and certified clinical nurse educator, showing an untiring dedication to academic teaching excellence by working with nursing students and nurses across the discipline,” said Dr. Holly Jeffreys, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and WT’s Ware University Distinguished Professor. “She works closely with prospective students, sharing her personal experiences as a former student of the program, and continues to facilitate the student's academic and clinical success through student mentorship.”

Friemel, who joined the University in 2020, earned her bachelor of science and master’s in nursing, among other degrees, from WT. Previously, she has worked in women’s health and medical-surgical nursing.

Anna Lemnitzer, assistant professor of art and design in the Department of Art, Theatre and Dance in WT’s Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, earned the Professional Service Excellence Award.

“Anna has a reputation for being someone who can be counted on to represent her colleagues and to support her students through her service,” said Dr. Dan Peterson, dean of the Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. “Her professional service exemplifies a well-rounded faculty member who cares deeply about her program, department, and discipline.”

Lemnitzer, who joined WT in 2021, earned degrees from the University of Montana and the University of Arizona. She has presented, exhibited and collaborated with artists around the world.

Dr. Erick Butler, associate professor of environmental engineering in WT’s College of Engineering, won the Intellectual Contributions Excellence Award.

“Erick’s research contributions in 2024 have been outstanding, particularly in advancing wastewater laboratory analysis for microbiological and chemical analytes and leading innovative projects in sustainable environmental solutions,” said Dr. Emily Hunt, dean. “His collaborative efforts with other institutions further demonstrate his commitment to advancing safe and effective microbiological research. He has demonstrated strong leadership in research funding and industry collaboration, with a focus on addressing and solving regional research problems.”

Butler joined WT in 2013 after earning degrees from bachelor’s, master’s and a Ph.D. from Cleveland State University. He is an editor for two international journals and researches wastewater’s impact on the Ogallala Aquifer.

Dr. Leigh Green, associate professor of school counseling and the counseling program director in the Department of Education in WT’s Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, won the Distinguished Innovation in Teaching Award.

“Leigh’s dedication to students and leadership exemplify the highest standards of excellence in education,” Coneway said. “She serves as the academic adviser for approximately 250 graduate counseling students, representing nearly 75 percent of the program’s enrollment. She also stepped forward to become the chair of the counseling program and volunteered to teach additional courses.”

Green, who joined WT in 2012, earned degrees from the University of Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State University and Texas Tech University. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Association of Counselor Educators in Government, Association of Counselor Educators, and the Texas Counseling Association.

Dr. Bin Shao, the Drs. Neil and Anne Terry Professor of Business in the Department of Computer Information and Decision Management in WT’s Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, won the Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award.

“Bin’s recent research has been pushing the envelope in the utility and key advantages of the use of AI in business to improve knowledge management within the enterprise,” said Dr. Jeffry Babb, assosite dean of graduate business programs. “These insights readily enhance her teaching and creates a direct connection between her research and teaching that enhances learning for our students and underscores the mission of the University.”

Shao, who joined WT in 2007, earned degrees from Shandong University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences before earning a Ph.D. from University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign. She won the Engler College of Business’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2018.

Dr. Bridget Guerrero, the Paul Engler Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Agricultural Sciences in WT’s Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, won the Distinguished in Sponsored Research Award.

“Bridget is a regional leader in research related to the economics of the vital Ogallala Aquifer,” said Dr. David Lust, head of the Department of Agricultural Sciences. “She excels in establishing and fostering productive research collaborations with numerous institutions and agencies, providing team leadership that is key to regional research efforts. We are very pleased to recognize her contributions with this award.”

Guerrero, a WT alumna, joined WT in 2013 after earning her doctoral degree in agricultural and applied economics from Texas Tech University. She teaches agricultural marketing, advanced farm and ranch management, agricultural policy, environmental and natural resource economics, and agricultural risk.

Awardees were given $3,000 honorariums.

In addition to Friemel and Green, college faculty award winners for instructional responsibilities also include Dr. Olivia Villanueva, instructor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Physics in the Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences; Dr. Oscar Solis, the Edwards Professor of Financial Planning in the Amarillo National Bank School of Accounting, Economics and Finance in the Engler College of Business; Dr. Anitha Subburaj, the McFather Professor in Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics in the College of Engineering; and Dr. Matthew Harrison, the Wendy Marsh Professor for Shakespeare Studies in the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages in the Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities.

In addition to Guerrero, Shao and Butler, college faculty award winners for intellectual contributions include Dr. Alica Macchione, assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work in the Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences; Dr. Brian Ingrassia, associate professor of history in the Department of History in the Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities; and Dr. Lee Doernte, assistant professor of sports and exercise science in the Department of Sports and Exercise Science in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

In addition to Lemnitzer, college faculty award winners for professional service also include Dr. Sara-Louise Newcomer, the Natrelle and Russell Long Professor of Companion Animal Studies in the Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences in the Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences; Dr. Andrew Li, the Williams Professor of Management in the Department of Management, Marketing and General Business in the Engler College of Business; Dr. Vinu Unnikrishnan, assistant professor of civil engineering in the College of Engineering; Dr. Justin Moeller, the Nancy and Kel Seliger Distinguished Professor in Government in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice in the Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences; and Laura Wagner, instructor of nursing in the Street School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Honorees were celebrated May 8 in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center.

Nurturing excellent faculty and staff is an important principle of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $165 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Faculty and staff members honored with West Texas A&M University Academic Affairs awards include, from left, Dr. Erick Butler, Dr. Bridget Guerrero, Anna Lemnitzer, Gilbert Antunez, Tamara Castagnetta, Dr. Alee Friemel, Dr. Bin Shao and Dr. Leigh Green. Not pictured is Dr. Kristina Drumheller.

—WT—