RAMS of TEXAS
Fall 2019 Vol. 103
the gradual
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December 2019 Contents 3 Letter from the President
Opinions expressed in THE RAMBLER are those of the individual authors only and do not neccesarilty reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole. To contact call (817)-531-7552.
STORIES 4 Kierra Glover pyschology major
Student Media Director: Dr. Kay Colley Faculty Advisers: Dr. Dave Ferman, Dr. Jenny Dean, Dr. Ngozi Akinro
Photo by James McBride Psychology and biology major Derrick Wyatt poses by a fountain.
The Rambler Staff : Editor-in-chief: Ashton Willis Jacinda Chan, Hannah Onder, Hope Allison, Elizabeth Lloyd, Arely Chavez, Valerie Rangel, James McBride, LaTerra Wair, Tina Huynh Class Students: Chelsea Day, Amanda Roach, Arely Chavez, James McBride
Photo by Emily Hunt Victor Barragan sits in Austin.
8-9 List of Graduates Fort Worth, TX 76115
5 Victor Segui Barragan chemistry major
10 Cameron Bennett criminal justice major
6 Alison Baron theater major
11 Samantha Smoot pyschology major
7 Texas Wesleyan University 1201 Wesleyan St. Fort Worth, TX 76179
12-13 Deep Ellum Dallas, TX 75226
15 Carson and Tyler Cunningham mass communication majors 16 Fort Worth Stockyards Fort Worth, TX 76164
For more stories online, go to therambler.org
Check out these reminders from the TXWES Alumni Association
Congratulations Graduates!
Celebrate at the Grad Toast txwes.edu/ gradtoast
14 Derrick Wyatt pyschology and biology major
Make a Grad Gift txwes.edu/ gradgift
Order Your Diploma Frame txwes.edu/ frames
Become a Social Ram txwes.edu/ socialrams
alumni@txwes.edu 817-531-6548 txwes.edu/alumni
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To the Class of 2019,
Letter from the
President
Congratulations on completing your degree at Texas Wesleyan. You have worked hard to reach this major life accomplishment. The entire campus community, along with your family and friends, are proud of your hard work. Your determination and commitment are important parts of your journey to success. As a first-generation college graduate, I understand that wholeheartedly. I urge you to hold on to those qualities as you move forward. Never give up and always pursue your dreams. Whatever the next step in your journey may be, whether it involves graduate school or entering the workforce, rest assured that you are ready. The emphasis on critical thinking and analytical reasoning at Texas Wesleyan will help you in your future endeavors, and we hope that your experiences here will be a constant source of inspiration as you make your mark on the world. May this be the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning. We are so proud of everything you have accomplished. Your success makes Texas Wesleyan the vibrant “Smaller. Smarter.� university that it is. I wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing you back on campus soon.
Sincerely, Fred Frederick G. Slabach President Texas Wesleyan University Photo courtesy of Texas Wesleyan University/Chuck Greeson
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December 2019
Glover takes break after graduation Favorite place: Six Flags Arlington, TX After spending most of her life in Fort Worth, senior psychology major Kierra Glover hopes to continue her education by attending graduate school once she is accepted. “I am still in the process with the application and GRE stuff,” Glover said. “I am excited about what’s next, but I am more anxious and nervous about that as well. Honestly, I don’t like to breathe, I love the feeling of constantly juggling things and that’s kind of who I’ve been for most of my life. It’s a rush, it’s a high, it’s everything for me.” Glover is planning to attend graduate school at the University of Texas at Arlington to study industrial-organizational psychology. “It’s apparently one of the best programs in the country for that, so it’s really competitive but I’m optimistic,” Glover said. “I hope everything I’ve done at Texas Wesleyan will translate well to them so I am hopeful! The unfortunate part is even if I get accepted into graduate school the program I’m going to, I’ll be out of school for eight months anyway. So, I’ve considered subbing, just not something to where I’ll be so locked in what I’m doing to where I wouldn’t wanna do anything else.” Glover began studying at Tarrant County College; She was there for four years and came to Wesleyan as a junior. She is the Head Representative in the Student Government Association and the Psi Chi National Honor Society secretary. She is also passionate about SGA and Psi Chi because she gets to raise student awareness on campus. “My role in SGA has been to connect the students with faculty and just bring awareness to what’s going on, like with campus security,” Glover said. “I realized I wanted to make an impact if I can, even if it’s in a small way.” Besides graduate school, Glover hopes to continue finding herself in her journey of life. “I feel like throughout my undergraduate journey I’ve really found myself,” she said. “High school I was really optimistic about the future, undergrad I became more realistic about the future, and after graduating I’m hoping that I
Photo by Arely Chavez Senior Kierra Glover bids farewell at the last fall 2019 Student Government Association meeting. Glover was the Head Representative for the SGA during the fall 2019 semester.
become comfortable with who I am and the profession that I chose. I decided to change my major from biology to psychology, so I’m just becoming comfortable with the decisions that I’ve chose professionally.” Glover is also excited to spend more time with family and friends before getting back to work. “Personally, I hope to get closer with my significant other. We’ve been together for ten years and I’ll have a little more time to spend with him,” she said with a smile. “Really just getting closer to my family because I’ve invested so much into my school life and it’s become a big part of my identity.” Rather than finding a stable job after graduation, Glover wants to focus on her graduate school applications and education. “Right now I have the financial support to go to graduate school and the emotional support from my family and peers so I don’t want to just get so complacent with a job now,” Glover said. “I don’t want to do anything with my bachelor’s degree [and] I don’t want to work with high school.
“Everything I want to do would either require a law degree, so taking the LSAT, or going to grad school. That’s another reason why I’m anxious because if I don’t get there then will I be fulfilled in my life, and I don’t know if I will be.” Glover hopes Wesleyan students also consider going to graduate school because it helps further their education. “I think, all in all, I got a bachelor’s degree with the intentions of going to graduate school,” she said, “and that is something that I would recommend that undergraduate students really think about because, let’s say you don’t get accepted into graduate school. What are you going to do with that bachelor’s degree? Can you still find fulfillment?”
Congratulations to all the Graduates! Spiritual Life wishes you all the best while pursuing your future.
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Barragan hopes to go into nanochemistry Favorite place: Austin Born in Alicante, Spain, Victor Segui Barragan chose to move to America to attend Texas Wesleyan University to play table tennis and study chemistry. Barragan has been playing table tennis since he was 11 years old. He played all through high school and at Wesleyan for the past three and a half years. For him, chemistry is a passion. He said that one high school chemistry teacher, Jesus Santamaria, is the reason he chose to major in chemistry. Santamaria “made the class entertaining,” Barragan said. “He was very approachable with the students. He always tried to make us more curious about science.” This inspiration proved to be life changing, as Barragan will soon be graduating with a bachelor’s in chemistry. He plans to pursue a doctorate in chemistry, and to apply to Rice University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and others. Barragan said that when starting at
Wesleyan, seeing other international students’ ability to adapt to living in America was very helpful. “I think that seeing other people going through that and having a positive experience made my adaptation way easier,” he said. For him, graduating is bittersweet. He’s glad that his time as an undergraduate is over, but he enjoyed the people and experiences since starting at Wesleyan; he is ready for what comes next. “I think I will remember them for the rest of my life,” Barragan said. As far as table tennis goes, he understands that it will become more of a hobby. “It makes me kind of sad, but I always knew that I wouldn’t make a living out of it, so I never expected to play throughout my whole life,” Barragan said. After graduate school, he plans on working in a lab and possibly doing research into nanochemistry. According to online publication “AZoNano,” nanochemistry “unites -unsurprisingly – nanoscience and chemistry. Nanochemists work from the atom up, with the aim of engineering nanosized materials.”
Photo courtesy of Victor Barragan Victor Segui teaches a young boy about science and how it works.
Photo courtesy of Victor Barragan Victor Barragan about to serve during a table tennis match.
Congratulations, Graduates! From the School of Education
The Gradual
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Baron looks forward to grad school Favorite place: Fuel City gas station, Haltom City
Senior theater major Alison Baron is getting ready to walk the stage, a place that has been very familiar to her throughout her time at Texas Wesleyan. Spending much of her time with the Theater Department, Baron said she has learned a lot from her peers, mentors and experience. “Specifically from the theater department, they train us really well to know what we’re doing,” Baron said. “They just make you really well-rounded theater majors so I’ve gotten a lot from Connie Whitt-Lambert, my advisor, she’s my go-to professor for everything. I’ve also worked almost everywhere on campus so I’ve gotten a little bit of everything from everyone.” Baron grew up in Allen, near Denton, and graduated from Allen High School. She said that coming from a large school to a smaller school was something drastic for her. “It was definitely a culture shock coming here,” she said, “going from the
biggest high school in Texas with 1,6oo graduating seniors in my class to like five graduating seniors in my class. Not really, but you know what I’m saying. Wesleyan is tiny. Smaller. Smarter., you know.” Baron said she helped produce and manage several shows throughout her time at Wesleyan. “For our department specifically, every student is required to be involved in every show,” she said. “The last one I worked on, ‘Turandotte: Princess of China,’ I just got done stage managing, which is what I came to school for. It was a really fun time.” Baron also said she hopes to attend graduate school in the near future. “I am definitely looking into graduate school, something like with theater,” she said. “It’s not like law school where you go straight there after taking your test. They want you to have post-undergrad experience so right now I’m just trying to figure out where I’m living, getting a job, getting that undergraduate experience.” Aside from graduate school, Baron wants to find a job right after gradua-
Photo courtesy of Chuck Greeson Senior Theatre major Alison Baron photobombed Texas Wesleyan’s Videographer Chuck Greeson’s photo of President Slabach in the Nick & Lou Martin University Center. Baron has participated in Student Government Association, been a Ram Camp leader and Dean’s List recipient.
tion that can help her get the experience she wants. “The thing about theater is that it’s a nighttime job so like, nights and weekends I know I’m gonna be able to get a
stage management job whenever I need to whenever I want,” Baron said, “but it’s that nine-to-five job that I’m really focusing on because that’s where like the actual money’s gonna come from.”
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December 2019
Congratulations graduates!
The School of Arts and Letters is proud of you
!
n o i s t , G a l r u a t d a r u g a n t e o s C
From the School of Natural & Social Sciences
May your dreams blossom and grow.
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December 2019
Congratualations Graduates! UNDERGRADUATES Juan Adame Hasibullah Aimaq Fahad Alrasheed Alan Arellano Maria Argote Justin Arth Ivan Avelar Makenna Aycock Cristian Barajas Jacob Barfield Lisamarie Barnes Alison Baron Brennely Barrera Cameron Bennett David Bentancourt Britta Brady-Mize Matthew Breedlove Bonnie Brimer Mariah Brown Tuan Bui Christian Byars Gladneetra Campbell Eulalio Cardona Brittany Cardone Samantha Cazares Ulysees Cervantes Jacob Chesney Kayla Collier Michael Craft Carsen Cunningham Kellie Daniels Adrianna Davis Chelsea Day Alannah Delgado Alexandra Dennis David Dermott Lora Dozer Breanna Erickson Eder Falcon Zhe Fang Maira Flores Laura Foster Randall Freeman
Kierra Glover Alissa Golden Richard Gomez Gabriela Gonzalez Emily gordon Corey Gregory Brian Harnisch Kaitlin Hatton Samantha Hawkins Frank Hernandez Isaac Hernandez Sakeena Holleman Alexander Howley Treylen Hunter Han Mai Huynh Esther Iniguez Martreveus Jackson Mark James Antonio Jimenez Azucena Jimenez Lopez Eric Johnson Geary Jones Jermarcus Jones Massaran Kromah Russell Leahy Angelica Ledezma Junyan Li Siying Liang James Lippy Hao Liu Keerstin Love Trace Lutteringer Amanda Mack Samantha Manriquez Celeste Marek Carlos Mathurin Taneisha McCuin Laruen McQuatters Ryan Mendez Dejan Milosevic Arlyssa Moaning
Mohamed Sabith Mohamed Riyaz Nasrullah Sailab
Rachael Sibley Damon Moore Kanji Mori Lindsey Nance Vanessa Natteal Demarcus Nixon Hayden Norman Mary Olmos Ana Pena Brenda Perez Bethanie Phillips Swanner Jacqueline Pina Latravian Polk Jessica Ramirez Jaclyn Ramos Donetha Reinhardt Jennifer Rico Amanda Roach Steven Roberts Parker Robinson Jose Rojas Elida Ruiz Miranda Ryan Lucas Salazar Liseth Samano Regina Schriener Keaton Scott Victor Segui Barragan Kirby Seibel Salvador Serrano Allison Shelby Karah Sicurella Martika Simmons Samantha Smoot Reilly Stone Bailey Terry Bruce Terry Belinda Thomas Elizabeth Thorp Franscisco Torres Giselle Torres Briana Trevino Jaci Trotter
Amber Tuma Reagan Valentine Johnny Vasquez Aries Vazquez William Walters Sizhe Wang Renee Williams Ashton Willis Madison Wood Roy Wood Derrick Wyatt Futa Yamagishi Huan Yang Paul Zang Haiqi Zhang Yang Zhou
GRADUATE PROGRAM Hollye Abner Zainab Adeyemo Christine Agumbah Amanda Averbeck Nicholas Balzen Oliver Bandonell Mazen Barakat Ignacio Benito Correa Sean Bernard Kristina Byerly Jana Beiberle Catherine Boyle Taylor Bradford Kendra Brewer Daniel Bridges Bailey Broadnax Ashlee Brown Kayden Candrian Rondale Carridine Ryann Casciari Rebecca Clark Keith Clay Brock Clough Tran Dao Quan Dao Damonique Davis
Jose De Armas Nathan Defee Blanca Diaz Teedzai Dibi Amy Diorio Dystanie Douglas Kathleen Driving Hawk Kelsye Dykes Kasey Eaton Rachel Eddy Jacob Enger Benjamin Eule Austin Evans Jennifer Ezeigwe George Findley Brandon Flowers Gunnar Flowers Sean Flynn Megan Fulton Claudia Gardea Perla Gardea Kelsey Garguile Taunya Gates Christopher Gaytan Scott Geer Felicia Gehrig Katie Gemmel Jason Gonzalez William Goodrich Edward Goodwin Lilia Goroeoff Samuel Griffin Kylie Gross Mel Grover William Guzy Teri Hamilton Mylah Hand Jacqueline Hanna-Youssef Joshua Hawkins Rosalva Hernandez Adan Hernandez Jr Deanne Hice Melissa Hickman Tyjuana Hightower
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Christi Hill Brian House David Hubbard Courtney Huston Michelle Iceton Reid Ivy Andrea Jackson Munkhzul Jamsran Laura Jennings Tethel Jones Sarah Jung Mashal Kara Jeffrey King Matthew Kobriger Shelby Koetter Megan Kreutzjans Jared Lanham Suyun Lee Dawn Leonard April Lewis Elexus Lewis Kayla Lewis Linrui Liu Shawn Lockett Jennifer Lorenzo Paul Maduk Wren Mahannah Sofia Maldanado Justin Malinosky Neal Marcelo Allison Marshall Tara Martin Luis Martinez Bradley Massey Tiffany Massie Binoj Mathew Tom Mathews Anura Mathis Jessica Manzano-Valdez Clara Mbamalu Molly McCarthy Mikael McDowell Michael McElroy Benjamin McMath
Joseph McRee Fedrico Mendez Amanda Merrill Whitley Miles William Miley Jason Milford Kelsi Miller Ivana Miranda Therese Mohamed Lizette Moran Sorin Munteanu Laurence Murillo Zachary Murphy Gillian Nguwo Gerald Nyaayo Caitlin O’Connor Ikenna Onwuzurumba Olufunmilola Oshoba Tamar Otini Fatima Padron Sara Pair Krystal Pennington Eric Perez James Persley Marissa Procter Karlee Pruitt Sandy Ramirez Jacob Rao Kimberly Remon Tamika Reynolds Dylan Riley John Roach Alan Robinson Raquel Rodriquez Cheryl Rogers Justin Rogers Melissa Rouquette Lucelia Saldivar Alexandra Schies Kelly Sidlinger Desiree Silva Ravneet Singh Michelle Smeller Kristin Springer
December 2019
Emily Stephenson Rachel Stone Catherine Swiatocha Kathryn Taylor Amber Tejeda Hector Tejeda Kiona Thompson Bailey Thrift Hilary Tipps Jordan Trentin Keli Truelove Summer Urban Damon Ussery Arnoldo Valadez Paul Valentine Tien Vo Ryan Volkmann Jinxin Wang Darin Wesselink Erik Wickstrum Jared Williams Madison Williams Daniel Wilson Julia Woelfel Kelsey Wolf Leroy Woolridge Jared Workman Victoria Yeh Syed Zaidi Wenting Zha
DOCTORATE PROGRAM
Babafunso Adegbola Sharon Amaya James Aylor Michelle Ballais Pamela Beach Carolyn Becker Kimberly Beres Marylou Cabral Charmaine Campbell Hildelisa Diaz Elizbeth Dillon Lay Florian
Penny Ford Houston Hawkins Brenda Jacks Rehema Kasasa John Knierim Jennifer Larson Karla Lester Tamara Liddel April May Tameka Patton Luis Perez Christina Pinkerman Eric Prichard Thomas Severs Anne-Marie Somerville John Stas Bethany Suppes Nancy Sweet-Fitzgibbon John Williams Georgia Young
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Super student set to graduate Favorite place: Trinity Trails In late 2016, a young man woke up, put on his “uniform” – a red and blue spandex bodysuit decorated with spiderwebs – and headed to another day at campus. He was set to speak before a class of criminal justice students and allow them to meet a real superhero. Unfortunately, on his way through the West Library, he was stopped by campus security and forced to reveal his identity – sophomore Cameron Bennett. Months later, Bennett got to prove to the world that his “Spidey-sense” was fully functional as he ran to save a couple that were trapped in a car after a wreck in Sundance Square. His bravery did not surprise the friends that he was with, nor did his positivity and humble spirit surprise the Wesleyan community. Now, Bennett is set to graduate in December, and he is looking forward to being able to make a superhuman impact on the world. “When I think back of my time at the school,” Bennett said, “I think of the games I went to with Ram Squad. I think of Spiderman stuff that has happened on campus and being known as Spiderman. There’s also the RA experience, and I love being an RA at my school. But I’d probably have to say that the people that I’ve met here have had the greatest impact on me overall. The biggest highlight would be the friends and the people that I
consider family that I’ve met here at the school.” Bennett is a recipient of the Guardians of the Golden Sheers, as well as the coach and captain of the Smash Bros team of Esports. He’s also part of the Programs and Activities Committee, Black Student Association, and more. Bennett aspires to be a real-life superhero and to embody what that means in his life on campus. “It gives me the mindset to always try to help other people,” Bennett said of his Spiderman “uniform.” “In the end, we’re looking at a world where everyone is individualistic in a sense, where they focus only on themselves, and it gives me a reason to want to help other people. Even if I don’t have it on, the uniform is something that’s engrained into my mind. Whether it’s on my body or packed in my closet, I have the mentality of, ‘If I see something, I’m gonna do everything that I can to try to help.’” Dr. Cary Adkinson, associate professor of criminal justice, has had Bennett in several classes and said that while Bennett might not have Superman’s strength or the speed of the Flash, he is a superhero both within and outside the classroom. “My favorite memory of
Photo courtesy Cameron Bennett Cameron Bennett dresses as Spiderman during class. Bennett is known for making appearances in uniform around campus. Bennett will graduate in December 2019.
Cameron is when I was given a certificate of appreciation for helping with an on-campus charity drive,” Adkinson said, “and it was delivered in person by Spiderman. I heard afterwards that since Cameron and Spiderman are such good buddies that Cameron put in a good word to have Spiderman come and give the certificate to me.” Adkinson cites Bennett’s kind heart as his biggest superpower, which he believes is the mark of any good superhero. “I think that’s the foundation of being a hero,” Adkinson said, “that you have a genuine desire to bring light into the world and to make a positive impact on the lives of other human beings. Ever since I met Cameron, that’s been a defining characteristic of him, not just in classrooms, but he’s also a campus leader.” Sophomore English major Nicholas Oliver says he has
hung out with Bennett too much to even remember how they met, but he is pretty sure Smash Bros had something to do with it. He also sees Bennett as a superhero because of his willingness to help those in need. “He is definitely not averse to going out of his way to figuring out what the problem is with someone who is having a bad day,” Oliver said. “He goes out of his way to make sure that even strangers are doing okay if he notices that there’s something wrong.” Bennett hopes to continue growing in his superpowers of kindness and friendship and will continue to help others to realize their own strengths and abilities. “Advice to the younger ones:
please make sure that you pace yourselves, and don’t say yes to every organization. Do things that are important to you,” Bennett said. He plans to hang on to his Spider-persona after college, and he is thankful for the friends and Ramily that he has gained from his time at Wesleyan. He also said that he is thankful for everyone being accepting of his secret identity and helping him to grow into a better superhero. “Well, this is the final signoff from your friendly neighborhood – or, friendly college campus – Spiderman,” the webslinger said with a smile.
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December 2019
Smoot’s career leads to teaching
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and values that I do,” Smoot explained. “Alpha Xi Delta developed my skills in leadership and networking. I also gained many lifelong friends.” Even with her busy involvement in When Samantha Smoot came from campus life, Smoot did not neglect Arlington, Tenn. to visit her family in her grades. During her time at Texas during her junior year of high Wesleyan, Smoot says, her most notable school, she quickly realized that Texas accomplishments have been academic. is where she wanted to remain. “Making the Dean’s List was a big “I fell in love with Texas,” Smoot said. accomplishment for me,” Smoot “There are so many opportunities for explained. “And getting this far as a firstjobs and things to do.” generation student.” After the trip, Smoot began looking Smoot has used her last year at online for potential universities to Wesleyan to make an impact on attend in Texas. incoming students by becoming a new Upon graduating from Arlington student mentor. High School in 2015, Smoot made the “I have really enjoyed communicating move to Fort Worth to attend Texas with students in the four years I have Wesleyan University and major in been here,” Smoot said. “Since I know a psychology. lot about the campus, I felt I should share “I visited Wesleyan and loved the my knowledge with new students before small campus,” Smoot said. “It has a I graduate.” friendly environment, as well as great After graduation, Smoot plans to work scholarships.” as a teacher’s aide and then return to After moving in, Smoot focused school to earn her master’s degree in on involving herself in on-campus special education. organizations, immersing herself in As a student mentor, Smoot has advice Spiritual Life and becoming a member for incoming and current Wesleyan of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. students. Smoot said that being involved in “Get involved in something, take these organizations has helped her advantage of having small classes and personal and social growth during her meet with your professors,” Smoot time at Wesleyan. said. “It could make a letter grade of Photo courtesey Samantha Smoot “In Spiritual Life I gained a group difference!” (Above and below) Samantha Smoot moved to Texas in 2015 to pursue her education at Texas of people that shares the same goals Wesleyan University. After graduation she plans to work as a teacher’s aide.
Favorite place: Six Flags, Arlington, TX
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THE GRADUAL
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Wesleyan changes culture in Wyatt
Favorite place: Trinity Trails Derrick Wyatt, a senior psychology and biology major, realized through his military training that he might not be able to change the world, but he can change himself. Hella Farewell was a concept Wyatt, the Student Veteran Organization vice president, presented last year to Dr. Bruce Benz, Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, and Psychology Club President Angel Wren to freshmen transition to Texas Wesleyan to help them feel more comfortable with their new surroundings. It’s a concept he learned in the military. Whenever new people come in, they are mentored by the older people serving with them. Wyatt said he has seen students walk right by the dean of their school and not even know it. He believes there is no reason for the
divide between students and faculty, and students to not know who they can go to for help. “This school is too small for them not to know,” Wyatt said. The real change for Wyatt did not happen until the end of his first semester at Wesleyan, which was in 2018. He said that once he arrived he had a hard time adjusting to the culture at Wesleyan and his new surroundings. His grades his first semester were two Cs, a D and a B, and he wanted to drop out. “I just didn’t understand this school,” Wyatt said. Photo by: James H. McBride Deciding it was time to drop out, Senior psychology and biology major Derrick Wyatt stands next to Willie Ram. The Maryland Wyatt went in to talk to Benz. After this native has embraced Texas Wesleyan culture after arriving here. lowing directions, and learning to have conversation, he realized everything to graduate school at the University of fun,” Wyatt said. matters here; your success is not just Arizona. The options on the table right now about your test scores. Rather, it boils “Right now, my gut is telling me I are working in the United States Emdown to three things. should continue my education,” Wyatt “You have to be a critical thinker, fol- bassy in Kabul, Afghanistan or going said.
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Love finds a way for Cunningham and Shelby
Favorite place: Fort Worth
She soon realized that this was not the case. The two reunited at TCC in 2016 and this time, sparks would fly. Some couples share everything. “We were both instantly drawn to each other For married mass communication students Carsen Cunningham and Tyler Shelby, this and have been quite literally inseparable ever since,” Shelby said. After falling in love, they includes college courses and a graduation date. When Shelby met Cunningham in the seventh soon realized that they also shared a mutual liking for the field of mass communication. grade at Grapevine Faith Christian Middle Cunningham said, “Our advisor, Dr. (Kay) School, she hardly could have guessed that one day he would become her husband. Colley, has also made it easier by helping us work everything out so that we can be together.” “I thought he was weird, and he thought I was cute,” Shelby joked. “He was the skater Wedding bells were soon ringing for the pair as they got engaged on Oct. 6, 2018 and tied the knot boy and I was the dancer.” When Cunningham moved schools and at First Colleyville Church on March 3, 2019 in disappeared from Shelby’s life after the eighth the middle of the spring semester. Though they are both earning their degrees grade, she didn’t think much of it until the fall in mass communication this month, they plan of 2014 when they met again while taking a to start their lives together by pursuing another class together at Tarrant County College. passion that they share. When Cunningham dropped the class a week “Our passion is in home building and later, Shelby worried that she had seen the last of Photo courtesy Dani Pruett renovation. ” him. Cunningham and Shelby at their wedding in March 2019.
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The Hatton W. Sumners scholarship provides outstanding juniors and seniors up to $4,000 per semester toward tuition and books. This scholarship is open to all students who have demonstrated leadership, high academic achievement, are involved in activities on and off campus, and exhibit a strong sense of community responsibility.
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