Raiders Who Rock Winners: 2009-2010
Katherine Albus
Nominated by Beth Davidson
Why this person rocks: Katherine is a positive and hard-working TTU student. She spreads inpsiration and optimism to fellow students, TTU staff members and faculty by voicing her values and working diligently in her class work and showing her glowing character in the organizations she is a part of. She has always been a determined, respectful and dedicated young woman and student and I am proud to have her as a student in the TTU community. She is definitely a Raider Who Rocks!
David Coutts
Nominated by Kathleen Sheriff
Why this person rocks: David Coutts rocks because he volunteers with individuals with disabilities. He serves food to families at the local Ronald McDonald House with the TTU Lions, he was a Lion's Camp counselor for children in Texas with multiple disabilities last summer, is active in several local Christian ministries, and recently asked my son (a Senior here at TTU with CHARGE syndrome) to be one of his roommates next Fall. I am honored to know David. He sees the potential for people like my son, Chris Sence, who deserve friends, but have difficulty in making them because of their physical disabilities. David drives Chris places occasionally because Chris has vision/hearing disabilities and cannot drive a car himself. David is a Raider Who Rocks!!!!
D: determined to make a difference
A: appreciates others
V: vision to see beyond disabilities
I: inspires others
D: devoted friend
Amanda Cruse
Nominated by Jana Vise
Why this person rocks: Nominating Amanda Cruse as a Raider Who Rocks is such a privilege. She is an outstanding student and leader. She leads the Tech Activities Board (TAB) with grace, dignity and integrity helping them to become more recognized on campus not only by the students, but also by the administration. She continually connects with different organizations on campus such as SGA and RHA to lead collaborations, but she never takes the credit. She gives it to the TAB Coordinators and members. Through her leadership, she teaches by example so others can follow in her footsteps. Her vision of TAB becoming more recognized and having an office in the Union has turned into reality because of her leadership. She is the type of student leader every faculty and staff hope cross their path.
Nick Cruz
Nominated by Gay Trammel-Witt
Why this person rocks: It's hard to pick just one value for Nick. He is Caring and Courtesy when talking with parents and students that come to our office. His Dedication, Commitment, Hard Work and Team Work to his job knows no bounds. Once he starts a project, he will not stop until it is completed. Lastly, his Laughter makes me smile...
Pamela Gil
Nominated by Diana Fabing
Why his person rocks: Pamela “PJ” Gil does not shy away from responsibility. She singlehandedly balances a full-time job, part-time student status with an exceptional GPA, and maintains full-time care of her two children. PJ exemplifies the hard work nontraditional students face on a daily basis, and as a fifth year student in the higher education program, PJ is today living her dream of achieving a teaching certification, and one day hopes to move on to graduate-level coursework. PJ is also an active participant in the Raiders Off-Campus Student Services (ROCSS) nontraditional student focus groups. The goal is to gather data and provide input on the everyday struggles of nontraditional students to create recruitment and retention strategies, and the leadership role PJ has naturally taken on is commendable; she is not afraid to speak her mind or offer insight on issues. One thing is certain about nontraditional students and it is that their time is very limited. PJ devotes a minimum of two hours per week tutoring other nontraditional students, preparing them for tests, helping with homework assignments, brainstorming ideas, jumpstarting projects, and teaching them to gather information for research papers. The learning process does not stop once PJ leaves the classroom; she willingly shares her knowledge and plants the seed in others, that believing in yourself is the first step to achieving your dreams.
KC Gilchrest
Nominated by Jorge
Why this person rocks: He is more than a staff member at Texas Tech. KC Gilchrest is a mentor, a shoulder, a left hand, a father, a co-worker; He is my brother. KC and I were paired up in the program MentorTech at Texas Tech, but later became more than a Mentor. He is someone that goes the extra mile and does more than what is required of him. My transition from not only high school, but from a different lifestyle, would have not been an easy ride without him. The different things that I have done with both the program and my mentor have really aided me in making everything worthwhile here at Tech. He is someone I go to when I do not have an answer to something, he is the one that I tell stuff to that I could not tell anyone else here in Lubbock. I have visited his job in Doak Hall many times, and he is always smiling and making people laugh when they are having a bad day. He gives people the motivation to pursue and exceed what they never thought they would be able to accomplish. His kindness is genuine. He has proven that the phrase "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted" to be real. Because of KC, I have been able to reject and eliminate the commonplace. I now push myself to pursue the best. I know this sounds very typical and cliché but it is the honest truth. With style and grace, KC makes a good impression to anyone he meets. There is a story called “One At A Time". It’s the story about a young man who would walk down the Mexican beach. He would pick lying starfish, and throw them back into the water. Another man within distance stopped and asked why do it, when there were thousands, and he couldn't possibly make a difference. The guy looked at him, picked up another starfish and replied, "It made a difference to that one". KC is that young man. People like him make a difference in our community and in the lives of others by extending themselves to do something for no expectation of reward. It is about time that KC gets recognized for his dedication to Texas Tech and the Lubbock community.
Brittni Hodges
Nominated by Zach Manning
Why this person rocks: Teamwork, Dedication, Giving Back, Hard Work, Leadership, Patience These three Raiders Who Rock took on the challenge of leading their peers during the inaugural Red Raider Orientation. They were required to work together in order to successfully prepare the RRO Crew to work all summer long. Due to the nature of the program, they exhibited patience while the program was developed. These Red Raiders were constantly desirous of giving back to their institution and this was obvious in the hundreds of hours they dedicated to their position.
Robyn Katz
Nominated by Calvin Lewis
Why this person rocks: During her 3 years at TTU Law School, Robyn demonstrated superb commitment and leadership to the cause of animal welfare. Among other things, she served as President of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, a law student organization she founded to raise awareness of animal rights issues. Moreover, Robyn spearheaded various efforts to raise funds for the local animal shelter, and she worked tirelessly to establish legal processes that would make it easier for the shelter to place pets in foster homes. In addition, Robyn regularly volunteered her own time and resources to support local animal shelters and causes, often donating her own personal funds where none were otherwise available.
Derek Kelsheimer
Nominated by Jana Vise
Why this person rocks: Derek Kelsheimer’s hard work and perseverance has paid off for him at Texas Tech. Upon becoming a member of the Tech Activities Board (TAB), Derek has taken every opportunity handed to him and run with them. Through his dedication, hard work, and sense of responsibility, he has risen to be a top leader in TAB. He has taken the initiative to become a coordinator and then the Vice President of Communication & Marketing. He is well respected by the other officers and members in TAB. Through the positions mentioned above, he has gone to regional and national conferences, presented at them, and made many contacts that will help him in his future endeavors in graduate school and his career of choice. Derek is a wonderful representative of Raiders Who Rock.
Pallavi Laxane
Nominated by Patricia M Brown
Why this person rocks: I have enjoyed Pallavi Laxane in the ISQS2340 Honors Intro to Computers in Business class and as president of the student chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals of which I am the faculty advisor at Texas Tech University. In addition she is in my classes Systems Analysis and Systems Design. Her maturity lends itself to being an outstanding student at Texas Tech University. On a personal level, she is very organized and focused and willing to put in the work to keep an organization humming. Her leadership of the Student chapter of AITP has been excellent and as a result the organization is growing in membership and importance. Because of her personal attributes, the organization has become much more active. She, with other members, has attended National AITP Conference last year and this year. This is not the only organization in which Pallavi is active. She also provides outstanding service in Golden Key, ALD & PES Honor Societies, and the Rawls Leadership Council. All while balancing a heavy academic load. Pallavi is amicable and well-spoken. When she works in a project team, she interacts very well. When in a leadership role, she asserts herself. And she is more than just intelligent; she conducts herself with grace. Pallavi is a Raider Who Rocks demonstrating Leadership, Commitment, Motivation, Excellence, Integrity and Responsibility.
Danielle Matthews
Nominated by Diane Nichols
Why this person rocks: I had Danielle in class last semester and she is an outstanding student and person. I think she exemplifies the values of the The Foundation for a Better Life. She is a Raider Who Rocks!
Sarah McCall
Nominated by Zane Reif
Why this person rocks: It is with utmost sincerity and xcitement that I nominate Ms. Sarah McCall for Raiders Who Rock (2010) at Texas Tech University. Throughout the last couple of years, I have worked on numerous projects with Sarah as a general Member, Coordinator, and Vice President for Tech Activities Board (TAB), the largest programming entity on campus. First and foremost, Sarah is a very special person. She has a wonderful sense of humor and a unique ability to relate to both strangers and friends alike. Sarah has been put in many situations where she has had to interact with the community, faculty, staff, and fellow peers. As Vice President for TAB, Sarah is responsible for the recruitment and retention of an organization consisting of six committees and 86 members. She monitors volunteer schedules and absences as they relate to meetings, programs, and office hours. Additionally, Sarah leads disciplinary review boards and takes corrective actions to educate and hold fellow students accountable for behavior discrepancies related to the constitution and by-laws. This is no small task, as each group and each individual has unique demands. Sarah was able to handle these requests with elegance and professionalism. I have observed her in many stressful situations, and know that she has the ability and work ethic to resolve problems and make difficult ethical decisions in a short span of time. Finally, she is responsible for organizing trainings and workshops designed to educate students about agent relations and negotiations, budgeting, reservations, marketing, event management, assessment techniques, and other skills related to programming. Sarah was able to rise from the ranks of a general member because she has the desire and tenacity to be a better student leader and leave a lasting impression on this university. Additionally, Sarah has held a number of student leadership positions on campus and has received various awards and recognition for her service. Currently, she works as a student assistant in Student Judicial Programs. In this role, she helps students prepare for the judicial process and prepares and maintains the respective files for a campus of 30,000 students. This is impressive for a student because of the sensitive issues and security surrounding judicial proceedings. It is a testament to her maturity and professionalism, as she is entrusted with confidential information on a daily basis. Sarah is wise beyond her years, showcasing an ability to be responsible and fun-loving at the same time. Additionally, she has been a recipient of the Raiders Who Rock Award (2009), Shubert Programming Scholarship, and various other recognitions throughout high school and college. Sarah is a well-rounded young woman, with many of the interpersonal and relationship skills you look for in young leaders. While Sarah’s resume is impressive, her impact on campus goes beyond the extracurricular involvement. I would be remiss if I did not comment on her academic prowess and drive. It is obvious that she is a wonderful student…she has maintained a 3.8 grade point average and has been named to the Dean’s List; however, she has also touched the lives of many of her professors and advisors through her humility and inquisitiveness. Sarah is always seen with a smile, yet she is able to think critically and offer suggestions to better campus programs, traditions, and classes. She is visible at a number of programs and services at Texas Tech University, and her role as a supporter is always consistent and unwavering. Sarah does not talk about it, she does it. She is an active participant in her own learning and development process, not just a passive recipient. Once again, it is in the highest regards that I nominate Ms. Sarah McCall for Raiders Who Rock (2010) at Texas Tech University. She is a most worthy candidate and would represent the university very well. She truly is an outstanding student leader.
Lucas McKernan
Nominated by Zach Manning
Why this person rocks: Teamwork, Dedication, Giving Back, Hard Work, Leadership, Patience These three Raiders Who Rock took on the challenge of leading their peers during the inaugural Red Raider Orientation. They were required to work together in order to successfully prepare the RRO Crew to work all summer long. Due to the nature of the program, they exhibited patience while the program was developed. These Red Raiders were constantly desirous of giving back to their institution and this was obvious in the hundreds of hours they dedicated to their position.
Andrew Murguia
Nominated by Aliza Wong
Why this person rocks: Andrew is an exceptional student, the president of Phi Alpha Theta, the history honors society, coordinates events and community building in the dorms, and volunteers his time to help with the literacy project in the Latino community. He is truly an outstanding and upstanding student who is dedicated to his education, but who realizes that learning moves us beyond the university doors and into the community.
George Odongo
Nominated by Nora Griffin-Shirley
Why this person rocks: As you can glean from this short description, George exemplifies the values of ambition, achievement, commitment, determination, inspiration, living his dreams, overcoming and sacrifice.
Christopher Blaine Rucker
Nominated by Leslie Eyerly
Why this person rocks: The Fitness and Wellness office would like to nominate Christopher B. Rucker for Raider Who Rock. Blaine starting working for Fitness and Wellness summer 2008. He started off as a Fit/Well Front Desk Student Employee and very quickly joined the Raider X program as an instructor. He accelerated through the trainee program with his skills and understanding of teaching Group Exercise and before we knew it, Blaine had become one of our top instructors in just a few months. I think it is safe to say that Blaine has found his calling. At the end of Summer 2008 when our Fitness and Wellness Coordinator left Texas Tech University, we knew immediately who to go to, to assist us with Group Fitness until we were able to hire a new Coordinator. Blaine had only been working with us for one semester, but his knowledge, leadership and professionalism made him stand out from the rest. Blaine was very honored and excited to take on this big responsibility. Keep in mind, he is still an undergraduate. He did and is still doing an AMAZING job. Blaine was in charge of most personnel issues, scheduling, training and day to day responsibilities that come with running the Raider X program for about 3 months. Once I was hired and came on board, Blaine had everything in tip top shape for me to take over. Blaine is still the Raider X Student Supervisor/Instructor and still has many of the duties he had before; but now he and I work as a team to keep the program so successful and moving forward. Blaine is the “go to” person for all the instructors. They trust him and respect him as a leader and supervisor. Blaine is one of those student employees that you have to tell to “go home.” A big part of his life revolves around Rec Sports and the Fitness and Wellness area. Christopher (aka: Blaine) Rucker is very deserving of this award. He would be VERY honored and grateful.
Ricky Sherfield
Nominated by Ann H. Rodriguez, J.D.
Why this person rocks: I am writing on behalf of Mr. Ricky Sherfield whom I would like to nominate for the Raiders Who Rock Award. Mr. Sherfield is my protégé and I am proud to be his mentor. Mr. Sherfield displays so many of the values that define The Foundation for a Better Life, and he inspires me each and every day in his clear and dedicated decision to live a values-based life. Mr. Sherfield is a junior here at Tech studying Architecture. He has shown an interest and level of involvement in Texas Tech since his first moments here that rival the most committed students on campus, and his giving spirit and continual willingness to serve the campus and community in general in various ways sets an example that every student at Tech should strive to emulate. Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Sherfield displays leadership, particularly in his willingness to reach out and volunteer in so many meaningful ways. Mr. Sherfield has been an active member of the Lauro Cavazos & Ophelia Powell-Malone Mentoring Program (Mentor Tech) on campus for over three years, moving from active member, through activity leader (intramural sports among others), then taking on the vital responsibility of PAC leader, a position that mentors and motivates the students involved in the organization, serving as Treasurer, and ultimately leading the student arm of the organization as President. Mento rTech’s mission is to aid in the retention of students from underrepresented groups in the Texas Tech University System. He actively serves Mentor Tech and all of its goals and activities, including important community initiatives like “Take a Child to the Game” day where he and other students spend a Saturday taking underprivileged children to a Texas Tech football game, and hosting an Easter egg hunt for community youth, complete with egg hunt, crafts and healthy interaction with primarily minority children. Displaying team work and a clear commitment to service, Mr. Sherfield serves the campus and community in a variety of other ways. He served as the Vice President of Programming for the Residence Halls Association his sophomore year and was the Alternative Spring Break Coordinator/Focus Lubbock for all of Tech. In both positions he is responsible for motivating peers, which is often a difficult endeavor, and promoting cultural diversity while building morale and encouraging social harmony. And, in his work with Alternative Spring Break, Mr. Sherfield’s success comes only after demonstrating impressive motivational abilities and a clear and strong devotion to promoting a humanitarian spirit and cause. And illustrating responsibility of the highest order, perhaps most impressive about Mr. Sherfield is that all of his extracurricular involvement is placed secondary to his commitment to academic endeavors. His Architecture course load is one of the most demanding on campus and he has certainly impressed me with his level of academic success while maintaining his important social and cultural service to the Tech community and beyond. Mr. Sherfield makes a difference in the Tech community and Lubbock as a whole. His generosity and dedication to helping others continues to have positive impacts on everyone he encounters. I wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Ricky Sherfield for the Raiders Who Rock Award and hope that the committee can see this impressive young man for the exceptional leader, compassionate man, and tireless humanitarian that he is.
Stephanie Sokolosky
Nominated by Stacy Carter, Ph.D.
Why this person rocks: I would like to nominate Stephanie Sokolosky as a Raider Who Rocks. I have known Stephanie through her work as a Graduate Assistant in the Special Education Doctoral Program at Texas Tech University. Stephanie exemplifies a number of the Foundation for a Better Life Values through her dedication and service to the field of special education as well as the compassion she has shown for students diagnosed autism spectrum disorders. Stephanie has volunteered her time to serve on both the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and the Texas Council on Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Her participation within these prestigious organizations demonstrates her commitment to the state of Texas and devotion toward helping others. In addition, Stephanie currently works in the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research where she is directly involved with students with autism spectrum disorders and carries out research activities. Stephanie has also shown a true inspiration for learning more about the field of autism by attending numerous national and international conferences where she has also presented her research most recently in Oslo, Norway. On a more personal level, Stephanie is also a professional photographer who has published her photographs of wildlife and landscapes taken during her expeditions to Africa. In conclusion, Stephanie is someone who most certainly embodies the characteristics of a Raider Who Rocks.
Dee Jay Wilde
Nominated by Michelle Bair
Why this person rocks: Dee Jay is a remarkable young man that possesses the poise and self-confidence essential to being an effective leader. He is tirelessly dedicated to Texas Tech University and the community while maintaining academic integrity. He is an individual that I have had the privilege to work with on a few campaigns and I look forward to working together in the future.
Suzanne Williams
Nominated by Dr. Kent Wilkinson
Why this person rocks: Suzanne Williams, an Advertising major in the College of Mass Communications, most definitely is a Raider Who Rocks. Ms. Williams’ intellect and work ethic are reflected in her grade point average of 3.87. However, this impressive number doesn’t tell the whole story. In the classroom Ms. Williams is an active participant in class discussions and takes a leadership role in group work – it’s just her nature. Not surprisingly, she is very well-liked by her peers. Ms. Williams is a quick read and has outstanding verbal and non-verbal communication skills, attributes that will serve her well in law school (hopefully here at Texas Tech) in the near future. Certainly Ms. Williams’ most visible extracurricular achievement at Texas Tech is her service as Student Body President since April, 2009. Yet long before her student government career, in fact as soon as she arrived on campus, Ms. Williams became actively involved in community volunteer work. She has assisted ten worthy organizations including Lubbock ISD, Buckner’s Children Home, South Plains Food Bank, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and the Arkansas Retirement Home in Arlington. Even a short conversation with Ms. Williams about these organizations will reveal her empathy for others and her genuine commitment to community service. I recently asked Ms. Williams what personal changes she has experienced from her community work and her service as a president of the Student Government Association. She responded that having to collaborate effectively with accomplished professionals such as President Guy Bailey, Vice Provost Valerie Paton, members of the Lubbock City Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the local United Way has helped her develop a more keen self-awareness and boosted her self-confidence. In my view, Ms. Williams is already well on her way to becoming a prominent leader in her profession as well as any communities that are fortunate enough to count her as a member. In sum, she rocks.
Monica Williamson
Nominated by Zach Manning
Why this person rocks: Teamwork, Dedication, Giving Back, Hard Work, Leadership, Patience These three Raiders Who Rock took on the challenge of leading their peers during the inaugural Red Raider Orientation. They were required to work together in order to successfully prepare the RRO Crew to work all summer long. Due to the nature of the program, they exhibited patience while the program was developed. These Red Raiders were constantly desirous of giving back to their institution and this was obvious in the hundreds of hours they dedicated to their position.
Brianne Womble
Nominated by Brooke McDaniel
Why this person rocks: She is involved with the Tech community and represents class, citizenship, and dedication in all she does. She’s positive and carries a smile with her in any situation with the motivation of helping anyone. As Panhellenic president, Brianne strives to achieve the best for our Greek community. The time and effort she puts into her role as a student and president is how we, as students, should appreciate the better life driven by people like Brianne. I believe she is a “Raider Who Rocks” and shall be recognized for her outstanding character and values she exemplifies.
Association of Students About Service
Nominated by John Shiftlet
Why this organization rocks: This organization has shown tremendous service and upholds values of the recovery community. ASAS jumps at any and all service work in the Lubbock community. ASAS is putting the “Recovery Collegiate Style” convention as well as assists with many other conferences and conventions. ASAS was created as the Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery to provide all students (especially students in recovery from addiction) opportunities to give back to the community.
Hispanic Student Society
Nominated by Alex Sevier
Why this organization rocks: I am nominating Texas Tech's Hispanic Student Society because they are an organization that strives for excellence. The organization focuses on the Hispanic culture and the impact Tech has had in their lives. They are constantly trying to make people feel welcomed with several different socials for newcomers. However, HSS is most proud of the community service they do that allows them to reach out to the people of the Lubbock community.
Honors College FYE Mentors
Nominated by Marjean D. Purinton
Why this organization rocks: This group of dedicated undergraduate peer mentors devote time and energy to promoting the best possible transition from high school to the university for our First-Year Honors College students. In this role, they exemplify the 52 values promoted by the Foundation for a Better Life, and they challenge First-Year students to acquire those attributes in their academic lives. They engage in extensive mentor training in preparation of this important role, unique to undergraduate leadership opportunities. They perform significant pedagogical functions as liaisons between faculty and First-Year students, which contributes to our students' connections to the university, their general engagement with academic matters, and ultimately, their retention in the Honors College. This unique group of dedicated students rock!
Women's Service Organization
Nominated by Annie Lin
Why this organization rocks: Women's Service Organization (WSO) is a non-selective campus organization at Texas Tech and focuses on Service, Friendship, and Equality. WSO is comprised of women from varying majors, backgrounds, and all student classifications from undergraduates to graduates. Members accumulate over 1,200 volunteer hours each semester by participating in various community and campus projects.