2003-04 Who's Who
Certificates presented at the Who’s Who Breakfast 7:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 14, 2004, Bluebonnet Ballroom
For 37 years, The University of Texas at Arlington has participated in the awards program known as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. More than 2300 institutions of higher education are involved across the nation. Students who are selected to receive this recognition must be outstanding scholastic achievers as well as leaders on campus and in their communities.
Undergraduate recipients are juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.0 and above. Successful candidates must also demonstrate involvement in out-of-class activities and concerns. Graduate student recipients must be in good academic standing and are evaluated in the areas of teaching, research and service. They must excel in one of these categories and have a presence in a second category to be accorded this honor.
Academic departments and selected administrative units nominate students for consideration by the Who’s Who Selection Committees, which are composed of faculty and students from each of UTA’s component colleges and schools.
The students who will be honored this year at the Who’s Who Breakfast have survived a highly competitive process and are to be regarded as outstanding representatives of The University of Texas at Arlington.
Each of the graduate student recipients was asked to reflect on professional goals and members of the faculty and staff who have played important roles in the student’s academic success. The responses are summarized below.
Penny Lynn Acrey
Major: Social Work
Nominated By: The School of Social Work
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Penny’s professional goals reflect her interest in clinical social work and disability and diversity issues. She plans to do direct practice, teach, write and conduct research. She will also continue her advocacy work for the inclusion of all disabled people in education and in community life. While acknowledging that every instructor in the School of Social Work has influenced her, Penny has identified Dr. Peggy Quinn for special recognition. Dr. Quinn was the first faculty member that Peggy met at undergraduate orientation, and now she is the chair of Penny’s thesis committee.
Mousa Abdelghani Al-Btoosh
Major: Linguistics
Nominated By: The Linguistics Program
Hometown: Karak, Jordan
Mousa will graduate in May with a doctoral degree in Linguistics. His professional work will center on teaching English as a foreign/second language and pursuing research on Computational Linguistics. In addition to all of the faculty members in the Linguistics Department at UTA, Mousa cites Professor Muhammad Raji Zughoul (Yarmouk University, Jordan) and Professor Adel Tweissi (president of Al-Hussein University) asbeing significant educators.
Cynthia Ann Chambers
Major: History
Nominated By: The Department of History
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
After she completes her Ph.D., Cynthia wants to teach and “impart a love for history” to college students, focusing on Transatlantic contributions to the Americas. Her plans also include writing a book on aspects of Native American and English interaction.
Stephanie Lynn Child
Major: Anthropology
Nominated By: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Stephanie plans to obtain a doctorate in Forensic Anthropology. She points to Dr. Shelley Smith and Dr. Dana Austin as being extremely instrumental figures in her educational career: “In addition to guidance and support, they have provided me with numerous opportunities…to further my education.”
Ian Michael Connally
Major: Linguistics
Nominated By: The Linguistics Program
Hometown: Reading, England
Ian credits everyone in the Linguistics Department with shaping his studies and helping him to achieve academic success. Following his graduation from the master’s program in May, he intends to obtain his Ph.D. and then to teach and do research at the university level. Particularly important have been Dr. David Silva, who was Ian’s undergraduate advisor and early mentor; Dr. Wing Fung Or, who encouraged him to write and submit papers to publications and conferences; Dr. Jerold A. Edmondson, who shared his research and challenged Ian to write some difficult but rewarding papers; and Dr. Laurel S. Stvan for her advice and guiding his preliminary thesis research. Of highest significance have been the contributions of Dr. Donald Burquest. Ian describes him as a model mentor: “…he has treated me as a colleague; he is consistently available to talk about problems and new research directions or just to chat. Dr. Burquest can always be counted on for encouraging words, challenging classes, and the occasional funny email.”
Alan John Detlaff
Major: Social Work
Nominated By: The School of Social Work
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Alan’s professional goal is to continue as a social work educator at a university. His current position is instructor and director of field education in the Department of Social Work at Texas Christian University. He named the following faculty members for their assistance in helping him to be academically successful: Dr. Joan Rycraft, UTA School of Social Work; and from Texas Christian University, Dr. Tracy Dietz and Dr. Linda Moore.
Diane K. DeWaters
Major: Transatlantic History
Nominated By: The Department of History
Hometown: San Francisco, California
After he completes her doctoral degree in Transatlantic History, Diane would like to teach Twentieth Century diplomatic history with an emphasis on World War I, the inter-war period, and World War II. She envisions herself at a small liberal arts college where she can mentor and interest her students in Twentieth Century history, showing its relevance to current events. She is also interested in publishing her dissertation, which will focus on the conferences held between Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill during World War II, especially the less well-known conferences in Washington, D.C. and Quebec City, Canada. Faculty members that she considers particularly important are Dr. Joyce Goldberg, Dr. Stanley Palmer, Dr. Dennis Reinhartz, Dr. Steven Reinhardt, Dr. Elizabeth Cawthon, and Dr. Kenneth Philp.
Himashinie V. K. Diyabalanage
Major: Chemistry
Nominated By: The Chemistry & Biochemistry Department
Hometown: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Himashinie’s doctoral research is focused on the synthesis and characterization of inorganic and organic compounds and the investigation of their coordination and photoluminescent properties. Her professional goal is to utilize the diverse skills and knowledge she has acquired in these areas to teach and conduct research at a university. Dr. Rasika Dias is acknowledged for his assistance and support.
Rodney Erakovich
Major: Public Administration
Nominated By: The School of Urban & Public Affairs
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Rodney expects to complete his Ph.D. in Public Administration this semester. After that, he aspires to teach, conduct research and work with public organizations in this country and abroad to develop ethics in government service. He also intends to serve as a subject matter expert on issues pertaining to organizations in public, private and non-profit sectors. Faculty in the School of Urban & Public Affairs who had an impact on Rodney’s success include Dr. Sherman Wyman, Dr. Edith Barrett. Dr. Alejandro Rodriguez, Dean Richard Cole, David Tees and Dr. Enid Arvidson.
Stephanie Jill Fuller
Major: Social Work
Nominated By: The School of Social Work
Hometown: Midland, Texas
Stephanie plans to continue her career as a social work professor; she currently fills that role at Lubbock Christian University. In addition, she will conduct research that is directed toward providing a deeper understanding of the aging population, especially as it relates to the professional and ethical responsibilities of addressing end-of-life issues. Stephanie wishes to recognize the following faculty members from the School of Social Work: Dr. Joan Rycraft, Dr. Maria Scannapieco and Dr. Richard Hoefer.
Ronald Paul Hall
Major: History
Nominated By: The Department of History
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
After graduation this May, Ronald hopes to enter law school in the fall. He wants to specialize in cases involving criminal defense and/or civil liberties. Faculty members in the Department of History who have been important to his academic success include Dr. Richard Francaviglia, Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dr. Stanley Palmer, Dr. David Buisseret, Dr. Don Kyle, Dr. Dennis Reinhartz, Stephen Stillwell and Dr. Thomas Adam.
Ji-Eun Kim
Major: Linguistics
Nominated By: The Linguistics Program
Hometown: Seoul, Korea
After graduation in May, it is Ji-Eun’s goal to teach English to non-native English speakers and Korean to non-native Korean speakers. She has singled out Dr. David Silva as the faculty member who has been particularly important in helping her successfully complete her academic program.
Robert Leston
Major: Rhetoric
Nominated By: The English Department
Hometown: Marlboro, New Jersey
Robert intends to become a tenured professor of rhetoric and composition and focus on teaching, writing and publishing. He acknowledges the influence of the following faculty members: Dr. Victor J. Vitanza, Dr. Hans Kellner, Dr. Nancy Wood, Dr. Audrey Wick, Dr. Stacy Alaimo, Dr. Kevin Gustafson and Dr. Timothy Morris.
Ruel Asanee Macaraeg
Major: Linguistics
Nominated By: The Linguistics Program
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Ruel will complete his academic program in May, after which he hopes to obtain an academic appointment that will allow him to continue his research as well as mentor students regarding the methodology of the field and the application of linguistics to various social issues. In addition, he hopes to consult with various business, legal and policy-making entities. Faculty who have been particularly important to his intellectual growth include Dr. Jerold Edmondson, who chaired his thesis committee; Dr. Laurel Stvan, for her suggestions and comments on his many projects; and Dr. Christopher Kribs-Zaleta, for his influence on Ruel’s growing preference for quantitative models in both research methodology and pedagogy.
Alistair Simon Maeer
Major: Transatlantic History
Nominated By: The Department of History
Hometown: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
To focus on his love of teaching and to be able to continue his research, Alistair is aiming to be a professor at a mid-sized university. He names Dr. Dennis Reinhartz, Dr Steven Reinhardt and Dr. David Buisseret as faculty members who have encouraged him and who helped him to secure the Helen Wallis Fellowship in Cartography at the British Library.
Anand Reddy Nandipati
Major: City and Regional Planning
Nominated By: The School of Urban & Public Affairs
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
In May, Anand will receive his Master’s in City and Regional Planning. His professional life will center on improving the quality of life and development in urban areas. He would like to work in urban development/ redevelopment either at the local level or in a larger policy context. Dr. Elise Bright, graduate advisor, and Dr. Ard Anjomani were cited by Anand as being especially helpful in his academic development.
Mandhir Singh Sahni
Major: Electrical Engineering
Nominated By: The Electrical Engineering Department
Hometown: Rewa-Madhya Pradesh India
Mandhir aspires to obtain the highest degree of knowledge in his field of specialization—Energy and Power Systems—so that he can give back to the community all he has gained from it. He believes that by teaching he can have a hand in shaping the future of his community and impart his knowledge to budding talents. Manhur describes Dr. Wei-Jen Lee as his mentor, motivator and guiding light, and also gives credit to Dr. Mo-Shing Chen and Dr. Rasool Kenarangui for contributing to his academic success.
Catherine Augusta Simmons
Major: Social Work
Nominated By: The School of Social Work
Hometown: Wyoming, Delaware
Catherine’s career plans point to academia; she plans to become a professor of social work and a social work researcher. Primary interests encompass women’s issues, the effect of traumatic events on women, and international social work. She cites Dr. Peter Lehmann, her Diagnostic Committee Chairperson, and Dr. Joan Rycraft , her Ph.D. Committee Chairperson, for their support, encouragement and guidance.
Amit Ramesh Thakkar
Major: Electrical Engineering
Nominated By: The Electrical Engineering Department
Hometown: Mumbai, India
As mentor and then as supervisor of the IEEE Mentoring Office, Amit has concentrated his efforts on increasing the retention rate of entering freshmen. He believes that such a program can be helpful in developing engineers of the highest possible quality, professionals who can add prestige to the University. From this experience, he learned that the leadership and teamwork skills that he has developed would also be invaluable assets in a professional environment. Dr. Raymond R. Shoults, Dr. William E. Dillon and Bernard T. Svihel were helpful in the recruitment and retention of aspiring Electrical Engineering students; and Dr. Saibun Tjuatja has provided valuable suggestions that have increased Amit’s confidence. After he completes his master’s degree, he intends to obtain his Ph.D. and hopes to become a professor at UTA.
Hollace Ava Weiner
Major: History
Nominated By: The Department of History
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Hollace’s professional concentration is on Texas Jewish history. She intends to continue to author journal articles and books on the subject. She is grateful for the support of Dr. Gerald Saxon, Dr. Steven Maizlish and Dr. Stephanie Cole.
Angelina Crescencia Whaley
Major: City & Regional Planning
Nominated By: The School of Urban & Public Affairs
Hometown: Covina, California
Angelina will complete her Master’s in C.I.R.P. (City & Regional Planning) in August. Her goal is to work in an environment where she can help others. Eventually, she aspires to work in city management. She has singled out Dr. Sherman Wyman for his importance in helping her to be academically successful.
Each undergraduate recipient was asked to discuss the leadership experience that taught him or her the most valuable lesson and to name the faculty and staff members who have been particularly instrumental in helping the student to achieve success at UTA.
Ruhullah Raihan Alhusain
Major: Finance
Nominated By: SOAR Learning Services
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ruhullah is a supplemental instruction leader for Finance. This position has helped him to improve his communication and time management skills. He also works as a community assistant at Centennial Court Apartments; from this experience, he has learned how to integrate its residential student development program into the University’s programs and also how to create a sense of community through creative programming. Ruhullah selected Dr. Vincent Apilado, Robin Melton and Dr. Rangadhar Dash as the University faculty and staff members that have been important to his success.
Aun Ali
Major: Sociology
Nominated By: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Experience in academic and out-of-class activities has revealed an important lesson about leadership: That good leadership is not a one-man show. An effective leader works selflessly with others, keeps them informed, listens to them, and encourages and unites them to successfully achieve the group’s goal. Dr. Raymond Eve has been Aun’s advisor in the Sociology Department, and Dr. Debra McBrier has been an influential instructor.
Alvin Uchenna Anene
Major: Biology (Pre-Med); Minor: Chemistry
Nominated By: Office of Health Professions, College of Science
Hometown: Mansfield, Texas
Alvin’s campus experiences have taught him that the most important element of leadership is to respond promptly to members’ questions and needs. He recognizes Dr. Greg Hale, Dr. Malgosia Wil-Blaszczack, Dr. Daniel O’Connell, Jane Pugh, Dr. Vicki Sapp, Dr. Jimmy Rogers and Dr. Alan Saxe as particularly important to his academic success.
Galima T. Bradbury
Major: Nursing
Nominated By: The School of Nursing
Hometown: Kharkov, Ukraine
Galima became the president of the Nursing Constituency Council unexpectedly. During her term, she learned how to work well with people, to be goal-directed, and to manage her time effectively. She also learned personal accountability and responsibility. NCC officers and members were there for Galima when she experienced personal difficulties. She would like to thank Dr. Patricia Cravener, Mrs. Kristen Priddy, Mrs. Deborah Green, Dr. Marilee Schmelzer, and Mrs. Sharolyn Dihigo, “my clinical instructors who devotedly guided me through the rough seas of Nursing education,” and Cathy Pritchett, Student Government advisor, “who helped me learn indispensable skills of a good president and was a good friend when needed most.”
Daniel Eugene Burnham
Major: Civil Engineering
Nominated By: The Civil Engineering Department
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Teaching junior high and high school students has taught Daniel the responsibility and value of helping the next generation. By sharing experiences and offering cautions as well as giving encouragement and providing support, he believes their growth is of benefit to all of us. This leadership experience has brought personal growth and immense enjoyment. Dr. Siamak Aredekani, Dr. Andrew Kruzic and Dr. James Williams have been positive influences.
Geoffrey Weldon Burnham
Major: Biology
Nominated By: Student Governance & Organizations
Hometown: Richardson, Texas
In his role as the vice president of the Science Constituency Council, Geoffrey has learned many lessons, the most valuable of all, he says, being responsibility. When planning an event or when working with another organization, it is necessary to accept personal responsibility and to make sure that everything gets done and done well. This is extremely important in order for everything to run smoothly and for everyone in the organization to be happy. Cathy Pritchett, Molly Alfers and Ed Morton are cited as influential staff members.
Cara Ann Cameron
Major: Broadcast News and Political Science
Nominated By: Student Governance & Organizations
Hometown: North Richland Hills, Texas
As Student Congress secretary, Cara has learned that to be a successful leader, one must be a great communicator and listener. She has learned to be comfortable when talking to large groups of people, and she has learned to handle the daily responsibilities of a leader. Dr. Joseph Ignagni has been an important influence; she has taken three courses from him and also worked as his research assistant. Cara says that Dr. Ignagni “encourages his students to strive for excellence, and although his classes are hard, they push students to work hard to do well….”
Amanda Lynn Cannon
Major: Journalism; Minor: Broadcast News
Nominated By: The Communication Department
Hometown: Meridian, Texas
Amanda’s leadership experience started in her high school band. In her senior year, she was elected president of the band and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Those positions changed her perspective by making her realize how hard yet rewarding true leadership can be. She is proud of the impact she had on her classmates and younger students. That experience also taught her to appreciate all her teachers and club sponsors. The staff and faculty members who have influenced her most are Lisa Evans-Reagan, director of University Video Services, and Dr. Karin McCallum, chair of the Department of Communication. Lisa Evans-Reagan, her friend and mentor, is appreciated for her career advice and for giving Amanda experience in television. Her other friend, professor and mentor, Dr. McCallum, “makes me feel like I am the most important person and that I can accomplish anything in the world. She’s given me tissues when I’ve cried and hugs when I’ve celebrated. She is truly a blessing to me.”
Christopher Dodman Capik
Major: Business Management
Nominated By: Greek Life
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Being the treasurer of his fraternity has taught Chris many lessons about leadership. He has had learn to separate business from brotherhood. Leading by example, he has maintained a strong leadership role by making the people closest to him understand the responsibilities of the position. Dr. Steve Culbert, Cathy Pritchett, Dr. Kent Gardner and Carter Bedford have been instrumental in helping Chris to become a successful leader.
Syreeta Brandy Clarke
Major: Microbiology
Nominated By: The McNair Scholars Program
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Syreeta’s most valuable leadership experience was realized as the community service chair for the NAACP. It taught her how to be organized and responsible when planning; it taught her better ways of communicating with people; and, most important, it taught her that you have to treat people with respect and motivate them. The following faculty and staff have contributed to her success: Dr. Michelle Badon, Greg Williams, Fred Henry, and Dr. Austin Lane.
Martha Gabriela Contreras
Major: Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Nominated By: Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Hometown: Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
Gabriela learned how to restore a student organization that had membership and financial problems. As vice president of Phi Theta Kappa, she convinced 12 other members to become active and devised a successful strategy to pay the organization’s debt to the University. Gabriela is also the president of Alpha Pi Mu. Her experience in both organizations has taught her how to become a better leader and liaison and how to instill enthusiasm in people. She has found the following faculty and staff members helpful and supportive: Dr. Shiek Imrhan; Dr. Bonnie Boardman; Dr. Joan Reinhardt; and Sara Skiles-Dutoit.
Daniel Robert Fischer
Major: Electrical Engineering
Nominated By: The Electrical Engineering Department
Hometown: Hazel Crest, Illinois
Reflecting on the broad spectrum of people that are at UTA, Daniel has learned that people do have a common respect for each other. He has participated in a number of park beautification projects and has found that UTA students are always willing to lend a hand…no matter how dirty or difficult the task. Getting to know others and learning about different cultures have been important educational experiences. For guidance and help in research, Daniel gives credit to Dr. Saibun Tjuatja, advisor to Eta Kappa Nu, and his REU (the National Science Foundation’s Research Engineering for Undergraduates) project professor, Dr. Sungyong Jung.
Leonardo Armando Garcia
Major: International Business and Spanish
Nominated By: The Dean’s Office, College of Business Administration
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
The experience Leonardo learned the most from is one that barely escaped being a failure. Whiles at ITESM in Monterrey, Mexico, he was a part of a very difficult group project and an uncooperative group. Faced with a deadline, he was able to morivate the members and rescue the project. Leonardo recognizes Dr. Steven T. Culbert, Dr. Rebecca Deen, Dr. Christopher Morris, Jaime Y. Nisttahuz, Dr. Larry Garcia-Griego and Dr. Alex del Carmen for their time and assistance.
Ryan Christopher Garrett
Major: Political Science
Nominated By: The Political Science Department
Hometown: Ennis, Texas
Ryan has discovered that challenges that appear overwhelming at first can be mastered by approaching them with a positive attitude and a willingness to make things work. Dr. Victoria Farrar-Myers, Dr. Rebecca Deen and Dr. Charles McDowell have played a part in Ryan’s success.
Denis Gjoni
Major: Computer Science and Engineering; Minor: Political Science
Nominated By: The Honors College
Hometown: Fier, Albania
Denis has served as a residential mentor and has strived to be a role model for the students in his charge. This position has caused Denis to look at things in a totally different way. He has also been able to improve his public speaking ability. Dr. Diane Cook, Dr. Robert O’Donnell, Dr. Carter Tiernan, and Andrew Quicksall have offered advice and encouragement.
Darrius Cordel Gray
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Nominated By: Greek Life
Hometown: Houston, Texas
The offices Darrius has held in Alpha Phi Alpha and The Order of Omega have made him able to handle multiple tasks at once, delegate responsibilities, and keep people motivated. These experiences, Darrius believes, will help him in the professional world. Significant faculty and staff that Darrius named include Dr. Robert Bing, Fred Henry and Carter Bedford.
Trudy Guerrero
Major: International Business and Spanish
Nominated By: The Dean’s Office, College of Business Administration
Hometown: Laredo, Texas
In the process of joining Lambda Alpha Theta, Trudy found herself working with a group of women who had different backgrounds and personalities. She had to learn to make adjustments so that tasks would be done correctly. Another skill that she mastered was determining when she should lead and when she should follow. Dr. Larry Gossett has been an important academic influence; his real life examples of marketing concepts made it easy for Trudy to apply the information to other subjects in business. Anuj Mubayi, the graduate teaching assistant in Business Calculus, taught the subject in an understandable way that made Trudy prefer it over any other subject. If she weren’t so far into her major, Trudy says, she would actually have considered changing to one that had a basis in mathematics.
Heather Ann Helm
Major: Early Childhood Education
Nominated By: The College of Education
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
As president of the Education Constituency Council, Heather learned that it takes more than one person for an organization to thrive. She overloaded herself, trying to keep the organization active. Then she realized that it takes the work of many to make an organization successful, so she learned to delegate and solicit the participation of the members. Heather says that Dr. Louann Schulze has been particularly influential in her development as a leader. Dr. Schulze continually offers her support and encouragement and is always available to help and offer ideas.
Dustin Williamson Henry
Major: Political Science
Nominated By: The Political Science Department
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Dustin developed his leadership skills as a member of the Boy Scouts. He says that he has been able to apply what he learned as a leader in this organization every day of his life. The most valuable lesson has been learning to accept responsibility without questioning or doubting himself. Dustin recognizes Dr. Rebecca Deen and Dr. Victoria Farrar-Myers as important influences.
Karen Honea
Majors: Journalism and Public Relations
Nominated By: The McNair Scholars Program
Hometown: Longview, Texas
Despite difficult family circumstances, Karen graduated in December with two Honors degrees. The people she considers most responsible for her progress at UTA are founding dean of the Honors College, Dr. Carolyn Barros, and Dr. Joan Reinhardt.
Jamie Marie Jones
Major: Psychology
Nominated By: The English Department
Hometown: Grand Prairie, Texas
The greatest lessons Jamie learned occurred while she was an undergraduate teaching assistant for Dr. Carolyn Barros and then as a peer counselor. Both of these positions provided her with experience in dealing with students, creating lesson plans, acquiring leadership skills, and handling various situations that can arise in the classroom. These are lessons transferable to other aspects of her life. Jamie considers herself fortunate to have worked with “some very amazing” members of the faculty and staff: Dr. Cindy Atha-Weldon, Dr. Charles Chaisson, Dr. Emory Estes, Dr. Lauri Jensen-Campbell, Toni Manning, Dr. Karl Petruso, Andrew Quicksall, Dr. Dawn Remmers, and Dr. Tom Ryan. But it is Dr. Barros who showed Jamie how much of an impact one person can make on 70 students, and this has been a great inspiration for Jamie as she plans her career.
Danny Duc Le
Major: Biology
Nominated By: The Office of Health Professions, College of Science
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
The leadership experience that was the most valuable to Danny was his time in AmeriCorps. As a mentor and tutor to “at risk” children, he says “it taught me how a little impression can make a great impact.” Danny has named Ed Morton as the staff member who hs been instrumental in his success at UTA.
Minh Quang Le
Major:
Nominated By: The Biology Department
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Minh has chosen his work with Project Progeria as his best leadership experience. It gave him a sense of pride and belonging. It has also made him pay closer attention to his community and to help out wherever possible. He now looks beyond himself. Minh says that all the faculty and staff of UTA have been helpful and in some way have assisted him to reach his full potential.
Briana Carolena Lemos
Major: Public Relations
Nominated By: Greek Life
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Organizing a chapter retreat for Tri Delta made it clear to Briana how much hard work goes into this kind of event, which seeks to promote personal growth and leadership skills. She learned that being a leader is not only someone who takes charge but also someone who encourages and supports others. Lisa Nagy and Sharon Carey have supported and advised Briana and pushed her to do her best. Jill Franklin has made her see her potential as a leader and pushed her to her limits, making Briana prove to herself that she is capable of what she sets her mind to do. Briana considers these three to be her mentors.
Diana Lopez
Major: International Business and Spanish
Nominated By: The Dean’s Office, College of Business Administration
Hometown: Chihuahua, Mexico
When Diana and her family moved to the United States, she was put in the position of translating for her mother and leading the family. At a very young age, she had to take on the responsibilities for things such as selecting an electricity provider and finding the right school and registering. This taught her about the importance of making the right decisions; but more significantly, she discovered that we all depend on each other to succeed in life. “Even when it seems that one has nothing to offer, when one gives all he/she has, one can reach the most unapproachable goals. Casey Gonzales and Gregg Williams have been important mentors to Diana while she has been at UTA.
Jennifer Nicole Luken
Major: Criminal Justice
Nominated By: The Upward Bound Program
Hometown: Hidalgo, Texas
Jennifer has selected her work as a resident assistant as the best leadership experience. She learned a lot about herself. She also developed the skills needed to deal with different personalities and a diverse staff. As an R.A., Jennifer became a mentor and a confidante to many of the residents in her charge. She has received support from Dr. Elmer Polk, who has encouraged her to attend graduate school or law school. Crystal Hall, Brazos Hall director, has also provided encouragement and positive feedback. Crystal’s travels and scholastic awards have helped Jennifer to “strive to be the best student and person that I can be.”
Herlinda Luna
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies. Emphasis: Business Management with Spanish communication skills
Nominated By: The Department of Student Activities
Hometown: Cariso Springs, Texas
Herlinda’s family owned a restaurant in 1996. She and the rest of the family struggled to master day-to-day operations, but the business failed because they had not created a business plan. Herlinda says that she has learned that to be a successful business owner, planning is the key. Her collegiate experience has reinforced this awareness and has provided her the knowledge to plan effectively. She is looking forward to opening a business of her own. Faculty and staff members who have been important to her include: Dr. Kent L. Gardner, Mardie Sorensen, Susan English, Dr. Bart Lewis, and Mary Beth Nell.
Gigi Thomas Maliyil
Major: Nursing
Nominated By: Student Governance & Organizations
Hometown: Grand Prairie, Texas
Teaching junior high students in Sunday School has helped Gigi gain new insights; the knowledge of how to relate to different personalities, the skills to help an individual express his or her best, true diligence, and, most of all, patience. At UTA, Dr. Patricia Cravener “taught me to never settle for anything less than the best”; Jacqueline Michael is very encouraging and always looks out for her students; and Dean Elizabeth Poster, Jean Ashwill, and Susan Edgren have been excellent advocates for the students.
Abhinav Aaron Malla
Major: Management Information Systems
Nominated By: The Dean’s Office, College of Business Administration
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
After being assigned as a team leader for a group in a management class, Abhinav discovered that his team members had very diverse ideas and interests. Through his experience with the group, he learned that the “key to a solution often lies in the ability to balance interests.” He also realized that people should not be afraid to admit mistakes, as they are learning opportunities. Constantly blaming others inhibits the ability to change. Abhinav points to Jay Horn and Dr. Kevin Duffy as being exceptionally helpful to him.
Elizabeth Marie Martinez
Major: Nursing
Nominated By: The School of Nursing
Hometown: Hurst, Texas
From her experience as a high school coach, Elizabeth learned several valuable lessons. First, it is not enough for a leader to have high expectations of others without personally committing to high standards of commitment and achievement. Second, you must be willing to do anything that you ask of those you lead. Third, it is important to give those you lead a voice in setting and reaching the group’s goals. Finally, while you might be able to take some credit when the group is successful, you must also be willing to take responsibility when there are failures. Elizabeth named Gina Thames as a person who has been an important influence.
Farin Mazhar
Major: Information Systems
Nominated By: The Department of Information Systems and Operations Management
Hometown: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Farin has found that accepting responsibility and setting an example for others are the most valuable leadership qualities. Responsibility extends beyond the leader’s duties to her job and her personal life. Getting the job done, making the right decisions at crucial times, and performing beyond the call of duty are valuable assets. Setting the right example motivates others to become more involved and active in an organization and encourages them to compete for leadership positions. Farin appreciates the wisdom and knowledge that Andrew Quicksall has provided. He has offered the encouragement and perspective that have made Farin decide to continue her undergraduate work as a member of the Honors College and then to pursue a master’s degree.
Victoria Dawn McCoy
Major: Management
Nominated By: The Management Department
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
The priceless lesson derived from Victoria’s college leadership experiences has been gaining a “deeper respect and thirst for diversity” throughout all the areas of her life. She has had the opportunity in her leadership roles to interact with people from different cultures and to learn about different customs. Victoria is grateful for the knowledge she has gained from all of her professors and the support and help of a number of staff members. She especially appreciates being able to work with Zeb Strong, when he was at UTA, and his successor, Fred Henry, who has helped her grow as a person and student.
Tousal H. Muhammad
Major: Computer Science and Engineering
Nominated By: The Civil Engineering Department
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Being the president of an organization “is an incredible experience.” The organization Tousal is referring to is Tau Beta Pi. Initially overwhelmed with all the responsibilities of a leader, he realized that being a leader is not about doing all the work but, rather, being able to delegate it to others efficiently. That required identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the officers to make the best use of the resources at his disposal. Tousal has discovered that the hardest lessons to master are finding a balance between being a colleague and being the president and trying to remain assertive without becoming overbearing.
Sami Abdullah Musa
Major: Computer Science Engineering
Nominated By: The McNair Scholars Program
Hometown: Wad Medani, Sudan
The times he has served as a team leader for Computer Science Engineering courses has taught Sami how to organize a team to accomplish a task within a specific time period. He also discovered how to achieve the goal when things are not functioning the way they ought to or an emergency occurs. He recognizes the importance or Dr. Arthur Reyes, Dr. Bharam Khalili, Dr. Glen Terrell, Dr. Sheik Imrhan, Dr. Joan Reinhardt, Kathryn Head, Sara Dutoit and Cassie Davis.
Hanh Ngoc Nguyen
Major: Biology
Nominated By: The Biology Department
Hometown: Saigon, Vietnam
As president of Omega Pi Epsilon, Hanh determined that a leader should always give 110%, if not more, to have a smooth-running organization and to avoid complications. Also, she believes in being strong and setting a good example for the members of Omega Pi Epsilon. She expresses appreciation for Fred Henry, Jr. who has been a very dedicated and helpful advisor.
Hien T. Nguyen
Major: Biology
Nominated By: The Biology Department
Hometown: San Diego, California
Hien founded and has served as president of Project Progeria at UTA, the first project that she “ever approached with very high hopes and optimal ambition.” She learned perseverance that, in turn, made her able to accomplish the goals she set for the organization. This experience has taught her that determination and diligence are central to success. A key faculty member has been Dr. Syed Qasim, who Hien regards as her “ultimate mentor.” She says that he always pushed her to give her best and encouraged her not to give up when faced with despair. For that, she says, she will always be grateful.
Odiri Oghenewoma Okiomah
Major: Nursing
Nominated By: The Honors College
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
The most significant leadership role that Odiri has undertaken is president of the Honors College Council. She did not plan on becoming president this year; but when the opportunity arose, she jumped in. Working with a very diverse group of members and officers is teaching her how to relate to different kinds of people and work effectively with them. She has also gotten to know the staff and is building lifelong relationships. Odiri says, “I did not bargain for the hard work involved in being president of HCC, but I would not trade the lessons I am learning and skills I am attaining for the world!” Faculty members who have been influential include: Dr. Cox, Dr. Morris, Dr. Barr, Dr. Green, Dr. De, and Dr. Handy. She would also like to remember her clinical instructors: Nola Schrum, Dr. Schmelzer, Dr. Hewes, Ms. Hennes, Dr. Cravemer, and Ms. Dihigo.
Tabitha Jesslet Padilla
Major: Political Science
Nominated By: Student Governance & Organizations; The Political Science Department; The College of Science; The Honors College; The Office of Multicultural Services
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Becoming a UTA Ambassador and being elected as vice president of Student Congress are the experiences Tabitha considers most important. She had not been very active at UTA prior to participating in these organizations; her work in both has showed her how she can help UTA succeed and be personally successful as well. A number of faculty and staff members have played a meaningful part in her academic success: Andrew Quicksall, Marcella Garcia, Dr. Victoria Farrar-Myers, Dr. Dale Story, Shelby Henderson, and Dr. José Angel Gutierrez.
Tri Huu Pham
Major: Biology
Nominated By: The Office of Health Professions, College of Science; SOAR Cost-Share Tutoring Office; The Biology Department
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
The children at the Boys and Girls Clubs have taught Tri to have patience when working with others. Though they sometimes push his patience to the breaking point, Tri says this has been the most rewarding experience in his life.
Mayra Sheyla Pinedo
Major: Criminal Justice & Criminology
Nominated By: The Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology
Hometown: Everman, Texas
As a member and office in various campus organizations, Mayra has learned skills that were not taught in the classroom. Her experience has taught her that every organization has its ups and downs and being able to overcome issues and fix problems is what makes one a great leader. Although it can be very frustrating at times, at the end it pays off, Mayra offers, because you realize you’ve made a contribution to the organization that makes it stronger and better for those to come. Faculty and staff members who have contributed to Mayra’s success include Dr. Lori Guevara, Dr. Alejandro Del Carmen, Casey Gonzales, Elizabeth Wade Massengale and Gayle Scott.
Elizabeth Theodora Powell
Major: Architecture
Nominated By: Student Governance & Organizations
Hometown: Florence, Texas
While Elizabeth was a counselor at Falls Creek Church Camp, she had a very rewarding leadership experience: reading the Bible to junior high and high school students, hoping to encourage them to stand up for what they believe in. It was a personal test as well – to be able to stand up in front of those students, including her sister and be a good example for them. Elizabeth acknowledges professors who have encouraged her ideas about architectural design; to know that an idea that she has is a good solution to a problem provides her with hope for a future in architecture. Other professors have introduced her to new computer programs that have helped her to develop her own designs.
Jerri Lynn Powell
Major: Psychology
Nominated By: The Honors College
Hometown: Tool, Texas
Being a Bible study leader has taught Jerri that a leader needs to be trustworthy enough for others to disclose personal information to and that people are looking for honest leaders who will act the same way in any situation. Jerri has identified Cindy Atha-Weldon and Lisa Hooks as being particularly helpful to her.
David Richard Prestianni
Major: History
Nominated By: The Department of Student Activities
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Serving as president of EX.C.E.L. Campus Activities was the highlight of David’s UTA career. Throughout his term, he learned how to expand his leadership skills to benefit the members of EX.C.E.L., and he began to comprehend his strengths and weaknesses. As he says, “I began the term as a shy teenager and left as a confident young man.” David names Dr. Kent Gardner and Mardie Sorensen as the staff members who influenced him the most. Both motivated him to reach his highest goals. Their support and encouragement have helped him to be where he is today.
Tania Ray
Major: Marketing
Nominated By: The Marketing Department
Hometown: Calcutta, India
Tania discovered that being a leader is not easy. A leader who has a bigger understanding of the goal must guide others from the present to the future. Also, being a leader and a role model are the same thing. The most valuable things Tania learned were how to be open to criticism and how to defend a position. Lisa Hooks, her advisor, has been very encouraging; and Lisa is inspired by Jerri Turner and Roger Wehr, two “amazingly energetic and knowledgeable” instructors.
Teresa Marie Robarge
Major: Accounting
Nominated By: The Accounting Department
Hometown: Mesquite, Texas
In April 2003, Teresa was in charge of planning and coordinating the Accounting Society’s Annual Firm Night. This leadership experience taught her about coordinating schedules, catering for a large event, and teamwork. She enjoyed working with other members of the organization to create a memorable experience for other accounting majors and the CPA firms that were represented. Teresa appreciates the assistance and attention of Galen Carpenter in his roles as academic advisor, lecturer and advisor to the Accounting Society. He has always been willing to listen to problems or concerns and has offered “indispensable advice” on academic matters.
Nancy Rubalcado
Major: International Business/Spanish
Nominated By: The Dean’s Office, College of Business Administration
Hometown: Bedford, Texas
Nancy’s most valuable leadership lesson occurred at work: She learned that managers have to agree on work policies and ethics. She believes that management should have weekly or bi-monthly meetings to discuss the work environment and the expectations for each manager so that problems can be solved without favoritism.
Erica Maribel Sanchez
Major: Art History
Nominated By: The Office of Multicultural Services
Hometown: Lytle, Texas
In her position as a resident assistant, Erica had to meet the challenges of being a mentor to 54 very diverse women. Erica had to meet varying expectations, acting as mentor, friend, and peer. Jared Peters, former hall director, was a mentor and inspired Erica to become involved and make a difference. That is why she took the initiative to become the first female president of Arlington Hall.
Michaela Nicole Stary
Major: Nursing-BSN
Nominated By: The School of Nursing
Hometown: Bellevue, Nebraska
Although a leader must sometimes do things alone, Michaela’s biggest lesson has been to try to ask for help instead of doing everything herself. She wishes to acknowledge the whole School of Nursing faculty and staff for being supportive. They go beyond the call of duty to make sure that their students finish successfully. Or as Michaela says, “Together we make a great crew.”
Richard Kingsley Stuart
Major: International Business and Spanish
Nominated By: Student Governance & Organizations
Hometown: Longview, Texas
His leadership experience has impressed on Richard that everyone is different; and although it is easy to become frustrated when people do not share the same passion or understanding, it’s the diversity and different people that often make organizations successful. He has chosen Jeff Sorensen and Dr. Kent Gardner as the staff members who have been particularly influential in his level of involvement and love for The University of Texas at Arlington.
David Stuckler
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies
Nominated By: The Biology Department
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Through his work at the Arlington Life Shelter, David learned to consider the good of the whole despite how compelling an individual case may be. His job was to wand residents with a metal detector to ensure no one was carrying a weapon. In one instance, he had to make a hard choice…to turn away a very distraught woman out of concern for the safety of the other women and children at the ShelteWorking with her has empowered him to realize his potential. Most significantly, she has taught him the value of introspection.
Brian Casey Townsend
Major: Finance
Nominated By: The Department of Finance & Real Estate
Hometown: Kaufman, Texas
Experience as an Orientation leader has revealed that individuals are motivated differently, and the key goal of a leader should be to adapt to each individual to maximize the benefits of the group as a whole. During Orientation, Brian interacted with incoming freshmen and transfer students, UTA faculty and staff, and fellow students. Trade-offs were inevitable to meet the needs of each of these groups and to make Orientation the most successful program possible. People who were positive influences include Dara Moore, Gayonne Quick and Ray Casas.
Arresha Marie Turner
Major: Athletic Training with Secondary Teaching Certificate in P.E./Health
Nominated By: The School of Education
Hometown: Conroe, Texas
No matter how difficult the situation is, the leader must remain strong and keep the group together. Arresha has learned this while working with MSATS. This is a fairly new organization; and although there were times when it would have been easy to quit and let the organization go, there were great leaders holding everyone together and encouraging one another. As a result, MSATS has become a very successful organization. Melinda Terry and Dr. Ada Fincher have been there to help Arresha through very difficult times as teachers and friends.
Valerie Elizabeth Vargas
Major: Marketing
Nominated By: The Marketing Department
Hometown: Mesquite, Texas
Valerie is serving as president of her sorority, her first leadership position. She is learning interpersonal communication, leadership and team-working skills. Dr. Jane Himarios has been an influential person in Valerie’s life – as one of her mentors in the Maverick Scholar Program and a mentor in a program called Start Right, sponsored by Sigma Lambda Gamma. Valerie considers her to be a model professor, “someone who is always there to help their students in any way that they can.”
Juby Mundakathil Varghese
Major: Biology
Nominated By: Student Governance & Organizations; The Office of Health Professions, College of Science
Hometown: Kerala, India
This past summer, Juby was part of a committee, composed of college students and an advisor, planning a summer camp for young people ranging in age from 13 to 25. From this experience, she learned a lot about the qualities of a leader. A leader must be able to get along with different people and be flexible; after all ideas are placed on the table, the leader must make a decision that is best for the organization. Further, a leader must serve others, be open-minded and willing to help others. After the camp, Juby reflected on her experience and determined that a leader must make sure that everything runs smoothly and that goals are accomplished. He or she must be able to listen actively and be willing to make sacrifices. Juby recognizes the work of Carter Bedford, who is the advisor for the UTA Ambassadors. Specifically, she appreciates the welcoming environment that Mr. Bedford has established and his approachability. Juby considers him a “wonderful and positive addition to UTA.”
Joshua Steven Warren
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies – Leadership Studies
Nominated By: Student Governance & Organizations
Hometown: Mesquite, Texas
All of the experiences related to being the president of Student Congress have taught him a lot. Representing such a large, diverse student body has been challenging but has also provided many opportunities about learning what it truly means to be a leader and to serve the people you lead. Dr. Kent Gardner, Jeff Sorensen, Cathy Pritchett, the rest of the staff in Student Governance & Organizations, and the staff in Student Affairs have been supportive as have Dr. Mostafa Ghandehari and Tom Rethard.
Donald Wayne Wayson
Major: History
Nominated By: The Department of History
Hometown: Grand Prairie, Texas
Donald has learned respect for the people around him, especially the faculty. As vice president of Phi Alpha Theta, he has observed that professors put in tremendous hours outside the classroom and show a great devotion to their work. He is especially appreciative of Dr. Christopher Morris’s finding the time to be Phi Alpha Theta’s faculty advisor, even though he does not have the time to spare.
Elizabeth Anne Lorraine Webb
Major: Theatre Performance
Nominated By: The Theatre Arts Department
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Elizabeth’s numerous positions of responsibility in stage productions have confirmed that theatre is a collaborative art. Any artist who contributes to a play or musical must be able to communicate ideas and concepts clearly and be receptive to others’ contributions. Elizabeth has discovered that when she is open to others, her own creative output increases. She describes Dr. Dennis Maher as an example and mentor. He is an outstanding instructor and makes himself available as a resource. He encourages his students, gives constructive feedback and respects each student’s artistic ability. Elizabeth describes his work ethic as actor, director and dramaturg as admirable.
Jennifer Ann Whitney
Major: Business Management
Nominated By: Greek Life
Hometown: Mansfield, Texas
As president of her sorority, Jennifer has acquired several important leadership skills. She has learned how to deal with 80+ active members, alumnae, and the international office. She has also learned how to separate friendships from the “business side” of the sorority. One of the great things about holding office is that she has had the opportunity to apply some of the concepts she has learned in the classroom. Elizabeth Wade Massengale, Jill Franklin, and Dr. Kent Gardner have been especially influential, demonstrating how to lead by example, offering perspective and encouraging words.
Stephan Andreas Wright
Major: Electrical Engineering
Nominated By: The Electrical Engineering Department
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
As the president of IEEE, the chair of the IEEE Mentoring Office, and as E-Week chair for the Joint Council of Engineering Organizations (JCEO), Stephan has concluded that trusting in the abilities of fellow officers and members is paramount. Because student organizations rely on volunteers who are juggling academic, personal and professional obligations, the leader must earn their trust: If the leader cannot earn the respect of others, getting the members to give their best is a lost cause. As a result, personal success is far less likely. The following faculty members have had a particular influence on Stephan: Dr. William Dillon; Dr. Raymond Shoults; Dr. Wei Jen Lee; and Dr. Glenn Terrell.
Benita Yuhui Yeo
Major: Business Finance
Nominated By: The Honors College
Hometown: Singapore
Chairing the 2003 Monster Bash offered many lessons in leadership. Benita discovered that nothing goes as planned on paper so the leader must respond and change. Delegation of responsibilities to officers requires follow-up; and if the officer fails to accomplish the task, the leader must make sure it gets done. A positive attitude is a must in order to keep the team motivated and the leader going. The most important lesson, according to Benita, is that “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” Many people will offer advice and opinions, and it is impossible to please everyone. The leader must be strong and follow his or her belief and follow what he or she believes is right. As Benita puts it, “Leadership is ultimately about responsibility and you are responsible for the outcome.” Acknowledgments to faculty and staff include Andrew Quicksall and Moll Alfers. Both advisors supported her and believed in her and helped her overcome difficulties involved in planning the Monster Bash.
Jocelyn Vun Zee
Major: Pre-Med Microbiology
Nominated By: The SOAR Cost-Share Department
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
As president of the Science Constituency Council, Jocelyn assumed a number of roles that allowed her to extend her leadership ability. She has learned the skill of delegation. Her public speaking ability has improved. Her work in planning and presenting Science Week, assisting Cathy Boyles from the Science Education and Career Center with her weekly S.C.O.R.E. Seminars, helping the College of Science organize the faculty award nomination proceedings, and participating on the President’s Student Advisory Committee and the Dean of Science Review Committee has bolstered her communication skills with both faculty and staff in different areas of study at the University. She acknowledges Cathy Pritchett, Dr. Gregory Hal, Dr. Thomas Chrzanowski, and Ed Morton for their assistance and guidance.