STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Two Tarleton State University students and an instructor at Texas A&M-RELLIS in Bryan received high honors during the RELLIS Academic Alliance commencement ceremony May 8.
Stephen Opskar, an instructor in the Department of Sport Professions, received the Faculty of the Year Award, an honor bestowed to top professors and researchers across the RELLIS Academic Alliance.
Students Kennadee Fisk, an education major, and Andrew Crawford, a mechanical engineering technology major, won the Chancellor’s Award, one of the highest honors awarded to students within The Texas A&M System, which recognizes graduating students at the RELLIS campus who consistently live by the core values of RELLIS (Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Integrity, and Selfless Service).
Opskar is the second faculty member to receive the RELLIS honor. Students submitted nominations, which were then assessed based on factors like nominees’ involvement in student activities, student organizations and/or recruiting.
Dr. Nancy Shankle, Associate Vice Chancellor and Provost of the RELLIS Academic Alliance, lauded Opskar’s dedication and leadership.
“Faculty members like Professor Opskar are at the heart of the RELLIS experience,” Dr. Shankle said. “The Faculty of the Year Award recognizes not only excellence in teaching, but also a deep and genuine commitment to supporting students both inside and outside the classroom.”
Opskar expressed his gratitude for the honor and student recognition.
“The greatest reward in teaching is seeing students connect classroom concepts to real-world applications and future careers, which makes this award especially meaningful,” he said.
Fisk credited close relationships with faculty and staff at RELLIS with giving her the confidence to embrace opportunities and experiences beyond the classroom. While at RELLIS she collaborated in conferences and committees that helped her develop professionally and prepare for her career in education. As she looks forward to the next chapter of her journey as an elementary school resource teacher, Fisk said she anticipates “supporting students, building relationships and creating a positive learning environment where all students feel successful and encouraged.”
Crawford’s nomination letter described him as not only an exceptional student, but a stellar representative of RELLIS.
“Andrew was not only a pillar of exceptional stature and academically excellent, but he demonstrated teamwork in a way that has been unmatched in my time at RELLIS,” said Dr. Jeff Hatala. Described as the “consummate team player,” Crawford collaborated on a paper highlighting the impact of engineering on society and balancing design with societal wellness in an interdisciplinary experimental course and was lauded for his ability to present difficult technical information in understandable terms to his health science and health psychology peers.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 21,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For over 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.