WT’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni Revealed, to Be Honored Oct. 2 at Homecoming Event

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

CANYON, Texas — A national figure in agricultural production, a leader at one of the country’s major aerospace companies, and a trailblazing Black politician are being honored by their alma mater as West Texas A&M University’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni.

Kody Carson, Sonja Clark and Judge Elisha Demerson are the illustrious trio selected as WT’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni. They’ll be honored Oct. 2 at the annual Phoenix event during Homecoming 2025 celebrations.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. in Legacy Hall inside the Jack B. Kelley Student Center on the Canyon campus.

Tickets are $75. Reservations are due Sept. 25. To purchase, call the WT Alumni Association at 806-651-2311 or visit wtamu.schoolauction.net/Phoenix25.

Carson earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business in 1983, then a master’s in agricultural economics from Texas Tech University.

Though he has spent most of his life working on his Olton farm, his impact stretches around the globe. Carson has served as chairman of the National Sorghum Producers and the sorghum representative to the U.S. Grains Council. He previously served on the board of directors for Plains Cotton Cooperative Association and the Southwest Council of Agriculture.

He continues to serve on numerous boards and committees at the local, state, and national levels, always advocating for Texas Panhandle agriculture and the families who make it thrive.

“I believe Kody should be considered one of West Texas A&M University’s greatest assets,” wrote Wayne Cleveland, executive director of Texas Grain Sorghum Producers in a nomination letter. “He advocates for his alma mater in ways both pronounced and subtle and his humble, diligent approach to his career marks him as an ideal representation of WTAMU’s values.

“He is a clear thinker and has an exceedingly sharp policy mind. These abilities have allowed Kody to contribute in numerous indispensable ways towards the building of the future of Texas agriculture,” Cleveland continued.

Carson said he feels he is in “pretty lofty company” to be named a Distinguished Alumnus.

“I’m not sure how I wound up here, but it’s a great honor because I love WT. I wouldn’t be who I am without WT; I wouldn’t be where I am,” Carson said. “I feel humbled and inadequate to be with that group of people, but I appreciate it. From the bottom of my heart, I appreciate it.”

Clark, Amarillo site leader at Bell’s Military and Commercial Assembly and Delivery Center in Amarillo, earned her bachelor of science in nursing in 1995 and her master of science in nursing–administration focus in 2000.

She has been with Bell for almost 20 years, serving in multiple leadership roles throughout the organization.

In her current position, she provides strategic leadership and accountability for cross-functional teams and site support for all Amarillo activities and operations.

Prior to joining Bell, Clark was an administrative director for Northwest Texas Healthcare System, a part of Universal Health Services. 

Clark is active in the Amarillo community and serves with various organizations, including Amarillo Area Foundation, Texas Association of Community Colleges, WT’s Business Advisory Council and College of Nursing and Health Sciences Advisory Board, Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health, United Way of Amarillo & Canyon, High Plains Food Bank, Storybridge, Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and Panhandle Workforce Solutions.

“Sonja is a buffalo through and through. The education she received, her pride in being a Buffalo and her loyalty to WTAMU is quite apparent,” wrote Angela Knapp Eggers, senior director of the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health, in a nomination letter. “She wears that banner proudly and continuously brags about the remarkable education she received while at WTAMU.”

Clark said “it was overwhelming” to be selected.

“I know quite a few people on that list, and there are some amazing people,” Clark said. “To be recognized by the institution that really gave me my start … (and) that aligns with my values is incredibly impactful.”

Demerson earned both his bachelor’s in physics in 1976 and his master of science in engineering technology in 1991 from WT, then worked for several decades for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration at Pantex. Upon his retirement in 2014, Demerson received the department’s career distinguished service award.

In 1978, Demerson was the first Black person elected to the Potter County Commissioners Court, and in 1986, he was elected Potter County Judge, the first Black person elected to a judgeship in Texas. In 2015, he was the first Black official on the Amarillo City Council when he was elected to Place 1.

He has served on the board of directors of many nonprofits and city committees, and currently serves as vice-chair of the St. Anthony’s Legacy and Redevelopment Corp. He served as senior pastor of Emmanuel Temple Church for almost 30 years.

Demerson served as a “dynamic public servant with high marks for honesty, integrity, commitment and stewardship,” wrote Claudia Stuart, a WT professor emeritus of sociology and criminal justice and 2021 Distinguished Alumna.

“Education from WTAMU catapulted him to these new heights of aspirations and achievements, and he would be the first to acknowledge the tools from WT enabled him to excel beyond his wildest imagination,” Stuart wrote in a nomination letter. “He is so deserving of this award and is a great representative of this prestigious institution.”

Demerson said he was surprised to be recognized.

“I can think of many, many more people who would be more deserving it,” Demerson said. “I don’t know how I rise to the level of those individuals who have previously been selected for this honor, so I am humbled by it.”

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given by the WT Alumni Association and has been given annually since 1970. In that time, 130 alumni have been honored, including this year’s inductees. Each has gained distinction through their professional achievements in career or military service, leadership and impact in their communities, and support to WT.

“The WT Alumni Association is proud to honor such alumni as Mr. Carson, Mrs. Clark and Judge Emerson,” said Ronnie Hall, executive director. “They each bring pride and honor to our University through their leadership, personal lives and professional accomplishments.”

Accomplished alumni such as these help WT reach the goals 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 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

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