PLAINVIEW, TX — 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓÆµ Baptist University recognized student achievement and academic excellence during the university’s annual Celebration of Excellence ceremony held Thursday, April 30.
The event honored Robert Noyce Scholars as well as students inducted into and graduating from a variety of academic honor societies. Jeffrey Vera, director of Alumni Relations and Career Services, welcomed students, faculty, staff, trustees, families and guests to the ceremony, while Dr. Cindy McClenagan, vice president of academic affairs, delivered the invocation.
The Robert Noyce Scholar Program, funded through a competitive grant designed to prepare STEM teachers for grades 7-12, recognized four current scholars and one graduating scholar. Current Robert Noyce Scholars are Edmundo Avalos, Olivia Fischer, Callie Humphrey and Emily Sigala, who also was recognized as the program’s 2026 graduating scholar.
Students also were recognized through induction into national honor societies and through the awarding of graduation cords to graduating members.
Alpha Chi, a national college honor society recognizing students in the top 10 percent of the junior and senior classes academically, inducted Marissa Armendariz, Kamryn Brown, Gabriella Chapa, Trinity Davis, Noah Johnson, Gabriel Medeiros, Jazmin Ortega, Mikayla Shires, Josh Sylliaasen and Niklas Thiel. Graduating Alpha Chi members honored were John Bray, Trinity Davis, Aaron Debus, Azalia Lozano, Ashley Ortiz Montoya, Jenna Sepeda, Josh Sylliaasen, Mariia Syzonenk, Niklas Thiel, Erin Trevino and Jadyn Trusler.
Alpha Mu Gamma, the national collegiate foreign language honor society, inducted Sebastian Balderas, Carlos Belmares, Jeremy Bolligar, Camila Gutiérrez, Gissell Guzmán-Gonzales, Héctor Hernández, Hannah Hester, Natalie Macedo, Emily Moreno, Melissa Reyes-Núñez, Dayani Vaquera and Lorynn Wolf. Graduating members recognized were Jeremy Bolligar, Trinity Davis, Camila Gutiérrez, Gissell Guzmán-Gonzales, Melissa Reyes-Núñez and Dayani Vaquera.
Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice honor society, inducted Ryiann Araujo, Anthonai Boutsomi, John Bray, Joel Buford, Bernadine Danielson, Mattison Goss, Camile Jones, Jennifer Nieves, Kathleen Opaitz, Aracely Ortega, Kevin Palmatier, Daniel Stoddard and Ruby Tovar. Graduating Alpha Phi Sigma members were Ryiann Araujo, Lavisil Asomaulo, Jeremy Boligar, John Bray, Carlee Heidebrecht, Tulili Lavasii, Alexis Lopez, Azalia Lozano, Ashley Ortiz Montoya, Payton Sholander, Naoialiagi Senio, Ron Toleafoa and Ruby Tovar.
Kappa Delta Pi, the national honor society in education, inducted Alissa Cowing, Olivia Fischer, Mia Gray, Brett Leach, Karleigh Licerio, Amanda Ragains and Kailee Sanchez. Adrian Lara and Emily Sigala were recognized as graduating members.
Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, inducted Mattison Goss, Azalia Lozano, Faderera Ogunbade, Averi Penner, Ethan Salazar, Arianna Sanders, Payton Sholander and Reuben Hottel. Graduating Psi Chi members recognized were John Bray, Azalia Lozano, Faderera Ogunbade and Jadyn Trusler.
Sigma Beta Delta, the national honor society for business, management and administration, inducted Sofia Melendez, Joao Galvao, Annalyse Larkin, Caden Terry and Juanita Villafane. Graduating members recognized were Brandon Cole, Andy May, Francis Motsi, Alex Neri, Brendan Strickland, Joshua Sylliaasen, Mariia Syzonenko, Niklas Thiel and Makayla Westfall.
Sigma Tau Delta, the international honor society for English, inducted Emily Ackerman, Carlos Belmares, Cecilia Lopez, Madelyn Riley, Arianna Sanders and Lily Taylor. Graduating Sigma Tau Delta members recognized were Trinity Davis, Marques Hall, Carlee Heidebrecht, Faderera Ogunbade and Ashley Ortiz Montoya.
Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing, inducted Paul Caballero, Abraham Cassanova, Christina Chapman-Bell, Nancy Davis, Sharleigha Dickey, Reagan Hicks, Emily Hodges, Shannon Money, Heather Norene, Bethany Ruiz, Gabriel Sharples, Cassandra Solorio and Ashley Thompson. Graduating members honored were Paul Caballero, Shannon Money, Heather Norene, Bethany Ruiz, Gabriel Sharples and Ashley Thompson.
Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society for religious studies and theology, recognized graduating members Arturo Flores and Ashley Ortiz Montoya.
The ceremony concluded with a formal commitment ceremony for inductees and a benediction by 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓÆµ President Dr. Donna Hedgepath.

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