Honors Programs

Where Did They Go From Here?

Here's a sampling of the accomplishments and whereabouts of some of the former Presidential Honors Scholars (identified by the year they entered the program).  If you have up-dates, corrections, or additions to these entries, or information about other former students, please contact us at cliffor@tarleton.edu. 

Click on linked names to see photos or more information.

Laurie (Harveson) Barker (1985) received a masters of Divinity and has been the co-pastor, with her husband, of First Presbyterian Church in Junction, Texas since 2001.  In 2001, Laurie was inducted into TSU athletic hall of fame and in 1996, she was inducted into Bridgeport high school athletic hall of fame.  Her email is revlaurie@verizon.net.

Rachel (Howell) Coffman (1985) is supervisor in the reservations organization for United Airlines.  She is also the global marketing manager for strictlytexas.com, an on-line retail outlet specializing in Texas products.

William Crews (1985) is an accounting supervisor for Anadarko Petroleum.

Lori (Steppick) Hicks (1985) is a stay-at-home mom of three girls and does some bookkeeping for her mother's store.

Jennifer (Stuart) Tiller (1985) was outstanding graduate with a degree in pediatric nursing at the University of Texas in Austin in May 2001.  She is currently working in emergency medicine in pediatrics in Tampa, Florida.

Scott Walker (1985) recently sold his company, Alliance Medical in Granbury, and is looking to start new career.  He also teaches private piano lessons to about a dozen students.  His email is walkermed@aol.com.

Monica (Wilson) Henderson (1986) is the membership development director at the Tejas Girl Scout Council.

James Parkey (1986) completed his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in May of 1994.

Toni (Randall) Rhodes (1986) is a programmer analyst in the Department of Information Resources at TSU.

Natalie (Adcock) Boyd (1987) completed her Masters in English at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1997.  Currently, she is staying at home with her daughter and doing voiceover and research consulting occasionally.

Rebecca (Bullock) Gattis (1987) attended UT-Dallas graduate school where she studied in the Masters of Public Affairs program. She went on to work in operations (inventory control, purchasing, national sales, financial analysis, etc.) for Warren Electric Group, Commercial Metals Company, United Agri-Products and FPL Energy. Rebecca married her husband, Phillip, in February of 2006 and moved from Dallas, TX to Ballinger, TX. She and her husband have owned Gattis' Furniture USA since June of 2008.

Brad Kinney (1987) is the head cross country coach and assistant boys basketball coach at Lake Travis High School in Austin. He also teaches Biology and Pre-AP Biology.

David Bixler (1988) received his Ph.D. in physics from Rice University in 1998 and is now a physics professor at Angelo State University. 

Amy (Landry) Kaarlela (1988) took graduate courses at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.  Currently, she works for Freese & Nichols Engineering in Fort Worth.

Lisa (Lopez) Camarrillo (1988) received her medical degree from Texas A&M.  Currently, she is a surgical pathologist and assistant residency program director in anatomic pathology at Scott and White in Temple.

Kim (Kraatz) Pack Wilson (1988) completed her law degree at the University of Texas School of Law in 1996 and is currently practicing law in Stephenville.  She is a shareholder of Fraser, Wilson & Bryan, P.C.  She is also on the Board of the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce, Cross Timbers Family Services, Texas Health Resources Stephenville Hospital, and Faith Lutheran Church Faith School.  And, a Past President of the Erath County Bar Association and past board member of the Girl Scouts of Central Texas and Erath County Habitat for Humanity.  Kim has two sons.  Her email is wilson@fwblawtx.com.

Monty Ray (1989) received an M.B.A. from Northeastern University in Boston.  He is currently working at GE as the site Finance Manger for the Bergon op Zoom site in the Netherlands.

Brent Rosenquist (1989) is a senior computer scientist for Adobe Systems
website: http://www.adobe.com/products/air/. 

Renee (Boles) Seals (1989) earned a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy in 1996 from Texas Woman's University.  She is currently teaching science at the Melrose School in Brewster, New York.

Noble Acuff (1990) is working on his MBA at the University of Southern California.  He is currently a consultant with a small regional firm based in LA.  websites:  http://acufftechnologies.com & http://www.nobleacuff.com.

Rhett Guthrie (1990) received his Master's in mathematics from North Carolina State University.  He is the founder and president of byteCrafters, a full-service software technolgy consultancy and co-author of the Java 2 Performance and Idion Guide, one of the first books to be published on the topic of Java performance.  website:  http://bytecrafters.com.

Kevin Hunt (1990) completed his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Indiana and went to The Scripps Research Institute for postdoctoral studies.  He works at Array as a medicinal chemist.

Amy (Neeb) Norman (1990) is teaching 6th grade language arts in Grandview, TX.

Michael Waid (1990) is working in Richardson, Texas as a senior consultant for Delta Corporate Services.

Mark Washington (1990) received his Masters of business administration from amber university in 1996, his Masters of arts ministry from southwestern baptist theological seminary in 2003, and is working on his doctorate in educaitonal ministry at southwestern baptist theological seminary.  He is the assistant human resources director for city of fort worth and pastor of armstrong AME Church in Arlington, Texas. 

Amy (Hofsommer) Engelberg (1991) is Vice President for BankAtlantic in south Florida.  She is a commercial real estate lender and aspiring novelist.

Wayne Keith (1991) received his MS in space physics from Rice in 1999.  He completed his PhD there in May of 2001.  Currently, he is teaching Physics at McMurry University in Abilene.  website:  http://home.comcast.net/~waynekeith/
http://www.keithfamily.net/wayne

Dawn Sand (1991) is the human resources director with First Data Resources, the largest division of First Data Corporation, in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Jason Power (1992) received his Master of Music in Theory and Composition from Texas Christian University in 1998. Currently, he is the IT Manager for the Town of Westlake and its International Baccalaureate charter school, Westlake Academy. He composes and arranges music for area churches and organizations and plays piano, synth, organ, and percussion in several bands. He has been married to Terrie (Johnson) Power for 14 years and they have two sons together, Nathaniel and Jacob. His personal email address is jtpower@gmail.com.

Crystell (Anz) Billman (1993) received her doctorate in 2001 at the University of Texas in San Antonio.  She is practicing dentistry at Brazos Family Dentistry in Waco, Texas.  Her email is mcbillman@hot.rr.com.

Pauline (Truesdale) Couch (1993) is studying veterinary medicine at Texas A&M.

Deirdra Dufault (1993) is working on her M.S. in Biology at South West Texas.  She also teaches 8th grade Science and serves as Department Chair at Harris Middle School in San Antonio.  website: http://tw.neisd.net/webpages/ddufau/index.cfm

Heather Wright (1993) received her doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer and is a certified Chiropractic Extremity Specialist.  She is currently the President and a Doctor at Wright Chiropractic Health Center.  Her email is hwright@ev1.net.

Keith Ballentine (1994) graduated from UT with masters in Theoretical Chemistry.  He is currently the lab manager at an environmental testing lab.

Lonnie Mark Hammonds (1994) graduated from the University of Texas Houston Medical School in 2005.  He is currently in his second year of residency at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Florida in Dermatology.

Adam Smith (1994) is a manager at KPMG, and international accounting firm working in the audit/assurance practice.

Angela (Stahlecker) Roberson (1995) teaches jr high & HS science at Cranfills Gap ISD.

Trina Geye (1996) received her M.S. in Counseling Psychology in August of 2002.  She is currently working on her Ph.D. in educational psychology at A&M at Commerce.  Trina is currently the Director of Student Disability Services at Tarleton State.  In 2005, Trina was named the Distinguished Alumni of Tarleton.  Her email is geye@tarleton.edu.

Shannon (Pittman) Jack (1996) is the technology teacher at Brownwood High School.

Charles Manning (1996) and Dana (Harris) Manning (1997) were married.  They are both attending Texas Tech.  Charles in finishing is Ph.D. in Chemistry while Dana is starting her last year of Physical Therapy School.

Joelle (Naccache) Ogletree  (1996) received her Master's in English at Tarleton.  She has taught English and French, but is currently staying at home with her two children. 

Julie Seifert (1996) completed her Masters in Mathematics at Texas A&M in 2005.  She is currently teaching high school math at Creekview HS in Carrollton-Farmers Branch.  Email is seifertj@cfbisd.edu. 

Jylyce (Venable) Staples (1996) is the choir director and music teacher for Grandview Junior High and High School.

Kristi (Slaughter) Boyd (1997) is busy supporting her husband, Capt. Richard Boyd, in his career as an Air Force Chaplain. She is also busy raising two toddlers with one more on the way. Her e-mail is richandkristi@hotmail.com.

Robert Brown (1997) is working as a programmer for Guidestone Financial Services.

Nathan Lesley (1997) and Amber (Dawson) Lesley (1997) were married.  Nathan received his medical degree from Texas Tech Medical School in 2005.  He is currently working for memorial hospital of Rhode Island.  His email is st_nlesley@hotmail.com. Amber recieved her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 2005.  She is currently a Hospitalist for Texas Health Care.  Her email is ambermdawson@hotmail.com  Amber and Nathan were both elected to Alpha Omega Alpha (a national medical honors society). 

Esther (Allen) White (1997) received master's degree at Texas Woman's University and works for herself as a nutrition and fitness consultant.

John Hughes (1998) is working on her Maters of Divinity at the Perkins School of Theology at SMU.  She is also the youth director in a North Dallas church.

Jason Mogonye (1998) is studying medicine at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in El Paso.

Liana (Stone) Bramlett (1999) is running her own piano studio in Dallas for beginner through advanced students.

Nikki (Harris) Groth (1999) is teaching first grade ESL in Kaufman, Texas.  Her email is teacher2911@yahoo.com. 

Elizabeth (Bolden) Howe (1999) is teaching headstart in Dalhart.

Johnathan Jones (1999) and Desiree (Beauchamp) Jones (2000) were married.  Johnathan graduated from Penn State with a Master's in music theory and history.  He and Desiree are now living in Greenville, SC.  Johnathan is teaching music and humanities at Isothermal Community College where he is also the choir director.  He is also in the DMA program in Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina.  Desiree has her own dog behavioral consultation business.

Mason Kuettel (1999) is teaching math at the ninth grade center in Weatherford and coaching girls volleyball and girls soccer.

Jennifer (Tucker) Lestico (1999) is working as a pharmacist at CVS.

Emmeken Otte (1999) received her medical degree from A&M in 2007.  She is currently a 3rd year resident in Medicine/Pediatrics at University of Missouri, in Columbia MO.

Julie Allen (2000) is working at the Ozarks Community Hospital in Gravette, AR.

Sabina Landeros (2000) is working on her Master's in Education Administration at concordia.  She is also teaching AP Spanish at Paschal High School in Fort Worth. 

Krissy (Heinsen) Guess (2000) is senior account manager with Litex industries.  Planning to start professional cohort MBA program at UTA fall 2008.

Patty (Henley) Hernandez (2000) received her Master's at TSU in 2004.  She is currently a logistics manager for FedEx SmartPost.

Jana (Farrill) Morrelli (2000) is working in group insurance sales at United Healthcare.

Melissa (Owens) Reasoner (2000) is doing optometric testing and marketing programs for Vision Source in Kerrville.  She also owns Mattress World of Kerrville.

Heather (Harris) Smith (2000) is the choir director in odessa at bowie jr high.

Cheryl (Beeler) Stenmark (2000) and Evan Stenmark (2002) were married.  Cheryl graduated with her Master's in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma in 2007.  She is teacing in the industrial & organizational psychology master's program at Angelo State.  Evan graduated with his Master's from Oklahoma University.

Kelli (Gaither) Wakefield (2000) received her Master's in Geological Sciences from Arizona State University in 2009.  She is currently working as an adjunct faculty member at Mesa Community College.

Kimberly (Oosten) Byford (2001) is working on her nursing degree at Tarleton.

Peggy (Neill) Cagle (2001) owns Cagle Photography with her husband.  Website; http://caglephotography.blogspot.com/.

Amanda (Baulch) Johnson (2001) received her master's degree in English at the University of North Texas in 2009.  She is currently teaching English at Collin County Community College.  Her email is abaulch@yahoo.com. 

Chase Kincannon (2001) works for State Farm Insurance in Stephenville.  He also started a Texas County Outdoor Music Festival call Playin' The Field.

Erika (Dean) Peters (2001) is a stay at home mom for 3 boys.

Joseph Gilbert (2002) received his masters in Electrical Engineering at Stanford in 2007.

Aeliya (Jafri) Jaffar (2002) received her PH.D. in pharmacy at the University of Houston. She is currently working as a pharmacist.

Cassi (Rowland) Jones (2002) is working on her master's in vocal performance at Baylor.  She is also working as an adjunct voice instructor at Hill College and playing piano for the Western Heights Baptist Church.

Mica (Hassler) Parsons (2002) is teaching theatre, reading, and English at Henderson Jr. High in Stephenville.

Eileen Stock (2002) received her master's degree in mathematics and statistics from Tarleton State in 2006.  She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Statistics at Baylor. 

Stephanie (Bumpas) Taylor (2002) received her master's in food science and nutrition from Texas Woman's University.  She is currently working as QA manager at McCormick & Co. in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

Brandie (Allen) Wolfe (2002) is teaching middle school science in Venus, TX.

Kelly Anderson (2003) is working on a Master's in social work at the University of Denver.

Tara (Clary) Cully (2003) is attending dental school  at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Kellie DodsonTexas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine.

Matthew Gilbert (2003) is working as an engineer at Lockheed Martin and working on a masters in electrical engineering at Stanford.

Marlow (Robitaille) Griggs (2003) is attending medical school at the Texas A&M College of Medicine.

Megan (Williams) May (2003) received her master's in mathematics at TSU in 2010.  She is currently teaching math at Mansfield ISD.

Alyssa (Hardy) Motley (2003) is a zookeeper for the City of Dallas.

Stephen Myers (2003) is currently working on a Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Microsystems from the University of New Mexico. His research focuses on novel semiconductor material systems for applications in infrared detectors.

Amanda Odiorne (2003) is working Admin and Education at Huguley in Burleson, TX.

Hannah Scott (2003) is attending law school at the University of Montana and working at the S Ranch in Pryor Montana.

Cassie Cox (2004) is an Outdoor Education Specialist at Ray Roberts Lake in Piilot Point.

Adrian Dunson (2004) is attending medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Jessica Farrar (2004) received her Master's in Sociology at Baylor.  She is working for the Center for Community Research and Development in Waco and teaching as an adjunct at TSU.

Jennifer (Dalecki) Kelly (2004) is attending physical therapy school at UT Southwestern.

Jennifer (Young) Kiser (2004) is a stay at home mom.

Garrett Rosser (2004) teaches chemistry/IPC for the H-E-B school district.

Rachel (Howell) Thiel (2004) is an equity research analyst with real time resolutions in Dallas.

Trevin Vaughn (2004) and Melissa (Gilbert) Vaughn (2004) were married.  Trevin is a Project Coordinator for DCP Midstream.  Melissa graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and is working as a physician's assistant.

Amanda Vineyard (2004) is attending graduate school in clinical exercise physiology at East Stroudsburg University.

Elizabeth Watson (2004) is a Master's student in informational ecology at Texas Tech University.

Lindsay Wright (2004) is working on her master's in Public Relations/Advertising at Texas Christian University.  She is also the Sales and Promotions Coordinator for 95.9 The Ranch and the song leader at Soda Springs Baptist Church.

Amanda McWhirt (2005) has been working with the Peace Corps in Honduras.  She is now looking into graduate school in sustainable agriculture.

Megan (Chrismon) Becker (2005) is teaching math and science to 1st through 4th grades and teaching music to 1st and 2nd grades.

Aileen Blum (2005) is attending a Lafayette Ph.D. program.

Kimberly Fehlis (2005) is attending medical school at Texas A&M Health Science Center. 

Jessica Moorhouse (2005) is a Tax Accountant with Condley & Company, LLP.

Katrina Windham (2005) is the Administrative Assistant for Recreation Sports at Tarleton State.

Kevin Woller (2005) is attending graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Sarah Barmore (2006) is attending graduate school at TSU.

Zane Christian (2006) is working for Edward Jones Investments and getting ready to open his own office in China Spring doing financial advising.

Amanda Couch (2006) is working on her Master's in geology at TCU.

Rebecca Frazier (2006) is working on her Master's in library science at the University of Denver.

Crystal Sims (2006) is attending graduate school at Sam Houston State University.

Lydia Colvin (2007) is working on her Master of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Julie Vrazel (2008) is attending graduate school in Agricultural and Consumer Resources at TSU.