James R. Coffman Award of Excellence is based on the following traits:

1) A Developing Scholar is not afraid of challenges and is expected to apply him or herself on research while maintaining good grades.

2) A Scholar is dependable, hard-working and responsible. A Scholar understands the commitment and the opportunity and values the experience provided.

3) A Scholar is a person of integrity.

4) A Scholar is intellectually inquisitive and excellence shows in her or his work.

This year's winners were: Elizabeth Gall (Mentor: Dr. Won Min Park, Chemical Engineering); Leslie Rodella (Mentor: Dr. Won Min Park, Chemical Engineering); and Esmeralda Rico Martinez (Mentor: Dr. Won Min Park, Chemical Engineering).

Pay It Forward Awards were presented to Juliette Nava Chavez (Mentor: Dr. Robert DeLong, Anatomy and Physiology) and Teri Jacques (Mentor: Dr. Erick Brandom, History). These awards go to scholars whose passionate engagement with their projects and their generosity toward their fellow scholars suggest they will pay it forward one day.

The Anita Cortez Award went to Loribeth Clarom, pictured above (Mentor: Dr. Don Saucier, Psychological Science). The Anita Cortez Award is given to a student for excellence in research, innovative thinking, grit, and work toward social justice.

• Loribeth Claro
• Katherine Kunkel
• Ruth Mekuria

• Fulbright Scholarship Recipient
• Goldwater Scholarship Recipient (and an Honorable Mention)
• National Science Foundation Fellowship recipient toward Ph.D. in Chemistry ($34.000 for 3 years plus tuition)
• Truman and Rhodes Scholarship finalists
• Two Cargill Global Scholars (out of 10 nationally)
• National Institute of Health Fellowship, American Chemical Society Scholarship, and Gilman Scholarship recipients
• Four Teach for America Awardees
• Cancer Research Awards every year since 2000
• Three medical doctors, five in medical school, three in dentistry
• Two students in chiropractic school, one optometrist
• Eight architects, ten engineers
• Five veterinary graduates and three currently in veterinary school
• Three attorneys and one in law school
• Two Peace Corps participants
• D. students at Berkeley, North Texas State, K-State, and others
• Scholars in graduate programs
• Internships at MIT, Harvard, UCLA, GM, ExxonMobil, Cargill, St. Jude Children's Hospital, and others
• Three University Distinguished Undergraduate in Research Awards
• Thirteen Outstanding Senior awards in thirteen years

University Distinguished Young Alumni Awardee