WT Announces First Cohort of Amarillo National Bank Scholars

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

CANYON, Texas — Nearly two dozen West Texas A&M University students are benefiting from $42,000 in financial aid as the University’s first cohort of Amarillo National Bank Scholars.

The students were chosen among full-time enrollees in the Amarillo National Bank School of Accounting, Economics and Finance in the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business. The ANB School was established following a $3 million gift from the bank and its owners, the Ware family, in February 2023.

Scholars also must reside in or have graduated from somewhere in the Texas Panhandle or anywhere else served by ANB, and they must maintain a 3.3 GPA. The scholarship is renewable for up to eight fall/spring semesters.

“These students have demonstrated exceptional skills both in and out of the classroom,” said Dr. Anne Macy, director of the ANB School and WT’s Gene Edwards Professor of Finance. “Through a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process, they were selected for their academic prowess, commitment to community, and leadership potential. They exemplify our strongest students.” 

The 2025-2026 cohort of ANB Scholars include Adam Aldape, a senior finance major from Amarillo; Nathan Baker, a senior finance major from Amarillo; Gizelle Borunda, a senior finance major from Sunray; Jaxon Chick, a senior accounting major from Amarillo; Tristan Denson, a sophomore accounting major from Amarillo; Kesleigh Dobbins, a junior finance major from Amarillo; Noab Elam, a graduate student in finance and economics from Clarendon; Bonnie Forsberg, an Amarillo native pursuing a second bachelor’s in accounting; Austin Gabel, a December graduate in accounting from Amarillo; Jayson Garcia, a senior finance major from Amarillo; and Alexis Lee, a senior accounting major from Amarillo.

The cohort also includes Caleb Mendoza, a senior accounting major from Canyon; Eva Moreno, a senior economics major from Childress; Mari Ramirez, a senior accounting major from Dumas; Alejandro Renteria, a junior accounting major from Amarillo; Annacaren Salas, a senior accounting major from Friona; Camden Sperry, a senior accounting major from Happy; Hayley Sprock, a sophomore accounting major from Amarillo; Diana Torres, a senior accounting major from Hereford; Hadassah Torres, a junior accounting major from Amarillo; Theresa Trapp, a Amarillo native pursuing a second bachelor’s in accounting; and Riley Van Staden, a senior finance major from Dalhart.

ANB’s total giving to WT totals almost $5 million; its gift establishing the ANB School was the largest in the bank’s history. The Ware family, which founded the bank in 1892, and their Ware Foundation was one of the first to support the renovation of the building that is now the home of the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center. Their $1 million gift was recognized with the naming of the center’s Amarillo National Bank Grand Lobby, and ANB received the Pinnacle Award from the WTAMU Foundation in 2017.

WT’s efforts to recruit, retain and reward exceptional students is a centerpiece 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, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M 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 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. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Members of the first cohort of Amarillo National Bank Scholars at West Texas A&M University include, front from left, Mari Ramirez, Gizelle Borunda and Theresa Trapp, and, back from left, Adam Aldape, Caleb Mendoza, Camden Sperry and Alejandro Renteria.

—WT—