Ceremonies can be viewed online at www.commencement.ttu.edu/livestream.

A ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences will take place at 3 p.m. Friday. The Graduate School ceremony follows at 7 p.m.

Commencement exercises for the Whitacre College of Engineering and the Colleges of Education, Architecture, Human Sciences and Visual & Performing Arts begin at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The Colleges of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Mass Communications, Honors College, University College and the Rawls College of Business hold their ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Mark Lanier, a 1984 Texas Tech School of Law graduate and benefactor of the Mark and Becky Lanier Professional Development wing of the law school, will speak at the Friday ceremonies.

Jerry S. Rawls, a 1967 Texas Tech graduate in mechanical engineering, and for whom Texas Tech’s College of Business is named, will speak at the Saturday ceremonies.

The School of Law Hooding Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Saturday. Robert A. Black, Texas Tech School of Law class of 1980, will speak. Black is the managing shareholder of the law firm of MehaffyWeber P.C., in Beaumont and the 2011-2012 president of the State Bar of Texas.

Honored students

Outstanding students, selected based on all-around achievement, will carry banners representing their respective colleges.

 The following students are banner bearers: Laurie Bellah Strebeck, an agricultural communications major from Throckmorton, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources; Brenda Berenice Alcantar, an architecture major from El Paso, College of Architecture; Nathan Andrew Wolcott, a classics and philosophy double major from

Lubbock, College of Arts and Sciences; Brittany Lane Hoffman from Lubbock, and Abigail Ann Jacobson from Sugar Land, both multidisciplinary studies majors, College of Education; Katherine Jane Albus, a nutritional sciences and dietetics major from Whitharral, College of Human Sciences; Bryan David Munson, an electronic media & communications major from Albuquerque, N.M., College of Mass Communications; Lauren Kathryn Spangler, a music major from Albuquerque, N.M., College of Visual & Performing Arts; Wade Lawrence Jansa, a mechanical engineering major from Garden City, Whitacre College of Engineering; Kelsey Nichole Dunn, an accounting and finance major from Lubbock, Rawls College of Business; Rebecca Sofia Chapman, a doctoral candidate in higher education, from Wichita Falls, Graduate School; Neil R. Hester, a psychology major from Lubbock, Victoria A. Crawford, a nutritional sciences  major from San Antonio, and Caroline L. Courtney, double major in honors arts and letters and journalism from Bartlesville, Okla., Honors College; Brenda Vera Grafton McCall, a university studies major from Leander, University College.

The highest ranking May graduates for each college include:

• College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources: John Nolan Duff, an agribusiness major from Levelland; Jerra Fay McMath, an animal science major from Estancia, N.M.; Loni Denise Woolley, an animal science major from Grandview; and Laurie Bellah Strebeck, an agricultural communications major from Throckmorton

• College of Architecture: Brenda Berenice Alcantar, an architecture major from El Paso

• College of Arts & Sciences: Leslie Marie Aguilar, an English major from Abilene; Maria M. Andazola, a psychology major from Tokio; Shane Lawrence Edmonson, a philosophy major from El Paso; Shelby Elizabeth Epperson, a health major from Coppell; Megan Elaine Galindo, a biology major from Monahans; Nicholas Zachary Grimberg, a political Science/Sociology double major from Carrollton; LaTreshia Arieon Hamilton, a psychology major from Houston; Melissa Cary Handley, an exercise and sport sciences major from Round Rock; Todd Paul Hemelstrand, a history major from Amarillo; Jennifer Jasso, a Latin American and Iberian Studies major from Killeen; Sarah Jane Kennedy, a geography major from Tomball; Bryan David Munson, an English major from Albuquerque, N.M.; James Alexander Murchison, a biochemistry major from Lubbock; Thomas Charles Rooklidge, a history major from Flower Mound; Stephen Patrick James Small, an economics major from Orange; Sofia Teresa Symcox, a sociology major from Fort Worth; David Rodolfo Valdes, a biology major from San Antonio; James Oliver Walls, a biology major from Elkhart, Kan.; and Neil R. Hester, a psychology major from Lubbock

• College of Education: Rissé Seye Ashburn of Wolfforth; Breanna Kathleen Daniels of Allen, and Laura Ashley Scarborough of Silverton, Brittany Lane Hoffman from Lubbock and Abigail Ann Jacobson from Sugar Land, all multidisciplinary studies majors

• College of Human Sciences: Kadee Lynn Albritton, an early childhood major from Colleyville; Jordan Leigh Bice, an early childhood major from Odessa; Mackenzie Leigh Gabel, a nutrition major from Panhandle; Loren Evelyn Lemmon, an early childhood major from Longview; Lisa Christina Lis, an early childhood major from Rowlett; Katherine Michelle Salazar, a human development and family studies major from Houston; Sarah Catherine Taylor, an early childhood major from Midland; Beth Renee Thompson, an interior design major from Christianburg, Va.; and Katherine Jane Albus, a nutritional sciences and dietetics major from Whitharral

• College of Mass Communications: Trevor Mathew Bell, a public relations major from Lubbock; Jennifer Dale Lord, an electronic media & communications major from Lubbock; Kristen Catherine Carr, a public relations major from Colleyville; and Bryan David Munson, an electronic media & communications major from Albuquerque, N.M.

• College of Visual & Performing Arts: Julia Kaye Keller, an art major from San Antonio; Sarah Elizabeth Kyrouac, a dance major from San Antonio; Noemi Margarita Martinez, an art major from Mullin; and Lauren Kathryn Spangler, a music major from Albuquerque, N.M.

• Whitacre College of Engineering: David Russell Bell, a mechanical engineering major from Lewisville; Alan Brian Bullick, an electrical engineering major from Lakeside; Shane Patrick Furlong, a mechanical engineering major from San Antonio; Logan Elliott Walker, an electrical engineering a major from Borger; and Wade Lawrence Jansa, a mechanical engineering major from Garden City

• Rawls College of Business: Stephanie Dawn Auge, an accounting major from Bedford; Bianca Campos, an accounting major from Batesville; SaiprasannaReddy Yarramalla, a business economics major from Plano; Joshua Garrison Schaeper, a management information systems major from Dallas; Christoffer Thomas Moden, a Marketing major from Korlstad, Sweden; and Kelsey Nichole Dunn, an accounting and finance major from Lubbock

• University College: Gita Sri Kant Rao, a university studies major from Plano

For more about commencement, including information on maps, guest seating, college receptions, parking and hotels, visit http://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/commencement/.

While in Thailand, Goh will teach graduate students about financial and operational management in the service industry.

Texas Tech Department of Nutrition, Hospitality and Retailing professor Ben Goh was recently awarded the 2012-2013 Fulbright Scholar Program grant to serve as a lecturer at Bangkok University in Thailand.

Goh’s project focuses on tourism and hospitality management education in Thailand. While overseas, he will teach financial and operational management in the service industry for graduate students, and innovation and change management in the service industry.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to teach at Bangkok University this fall,” he said. “New courses and teaching in a totally different cultural environment will definitely be an interesting experience.”

Goh said he chose Thailand because it is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, making his course material highly applicable.

Next fall, roughly 1,100 U.S. faculty and professionals will travel abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the citizens of the U.S. and residents of other countries.

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Acaba was selected as a mission specialist by NASA in 2004 and completed Astronaut Candidate Training in 2006.

The College of Education at Texas Tech announced a NASA astronaut has been accepted to its doctoral program in education.

Joseph Acaba launched May 14 for a four-month tour of duty aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft as part of the team for Mission 31/32 to the International Space Station. He also has been accepted to Texas Tech’s new Blended Delivery Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with Specialization in Science Education for the cohort starting this fall.

Follow Acaba’s mission via Twitter and a blog both linked to www.nasa.gov/station.

Texas Tech Provost Bob Smith was delighted to learn that the College of Education has successfully recruited a second U.S. astronaut to be a Red Raider. 

“When we hired our first Red Raider astronaut, Dean Al Sacco Jr., we underestimated the benefits his appointment would bring to Texas Tech,” Smith said. “We understand that Dean Sacco did play a role in recruiting astronaut Acaba to Texas Tech. Also, we know that both astronauts Acaba and Sacco have a passion for education of youth in science, engineering and technology. Our collective hope is that our Red Raider astronauts will be reaching greater numbers of young learners as astronaut Acaba joins us and progresses in his program.”

Acaba will take classes online in his own personal time after he returns from the mission, said Walter Smith, Helen DeVitt Jones Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and advisor for the doctoral program. The nature of the online classes allows for flexibility.

“Joe has outstanding experience as a science teacher and seasoned astronaut,” Walter Smith said. “He’s joining a cohort of exceptional educators who already possess exemplary science education credentials and will make a difference in the world as a result of their Texas Tech doctorate.”

Raised in Anaheim, Calif., Acaba earned a bachelor’s in geology from the University of California-Santa Barbara in 1990 and a master’s in geology from the University of Arizona in 1992. Acaba was selected as a mission specialist by NASA in 2004 and completed Astronaut Candidate Training in 2006.

Acaba has a passion for education of youth in science, engineering and technology.

Juan Munoz, Texas Tech’s vice provost for Undergraduate Education, vice president for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Com­munity Engagement has known Acaba for more than 25 years, as a schoolmate, a U.S. Marine, a teacher, and now NASA astronaut.

“In every aspect of his life, Joe has distinguished himself,” Munoz said. “I am not surprised that he has carefully selected Texas Tech to begin this new chapter of his life, at one of the country’s great public research universities. We are proud to welcome Joe to Texas Tech, and the Red Raider family.”

Acaba’s space flight experience includes STS-119 Discovery (March 15-28, 2009), the 125th shuttle flight, the 36th flight of Discovery and the 28th shuttle flight to the International Space Station. He accumulated 12 hours and 57 minutes of extravehicular activities in two spacewalks. STS-119 landed at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, having traveled 202 orbits and 5.3 million statute miles.

Acaba is a member of the International Technology Education Association, the Florida Association of Science Teachers, and the Association of Space Explorers.

Joseph Acaba launched May 14 for a four-month tour of duty aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft as part of the team for Mission 31/32 to the International Space Station. He also has been accepted to Texas Tech’s new Blended Delivery Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with Specialization in Science Education for the cohort starting this fall.

Follow Acaba’s mission via Twitter and a blog both linked to www.nasa.gov/station.

Texas Tech Provost Bob Smith was delighted to learn that the College of Education has successfully recruited a second U.S. astronaut to be a Red Raider.

“When we hired our first Red Raider astronaut, Dean Al Sacco Jr., we underestimated the benefits his appointment would bring to Texas Tech,” Smith said. “We understand that Dean Sacco did play a role in recruiting astronaut Acaba to Texas Tech. Also, we know that both astronauts Acaba and Sacco have a passion for education of youth in science, engineering and technology. Our collective hope is that our Red Raider astronauts will be reaching greater numbers of young learners as astronaut Acaba joins us and progresses in his program.”

Acaba will take classes online in his own personal time after he returns from the mission, said Walter Smith, Helen DeVitt Jones Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and advisor for the doctoral program. The nature of the online classes allows for flexibility.

“Joe has outstanding experience as a science teacher and seasoned astronaut,” Walter Smith said. “He’s joining a cohort of exceptional educators who already possess exemplary science education credentials and will make a difference in the world as a result of their Texas Tech doctorate.”

Raised in Anaheim, Calif., Acaba earned a bachelor’s in geology from the University of California-Santa Barbara in 1990 and a master’s in geology from the University of Arizona in 1992. Acaba was selected as a mission specialist by NASA in 2004 and completed Astronaut Candidate Training in 2006.

Acaba serves in the United States Marine Corps, Reserves, and spent two years in the United States Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. He also was manager of the Caribbean Marine Research Center at Lee Stocking Island in the Exumas, Bahamas.

Juan Munoz, Texas Tech’s vice provost for Undergraduate Education, vice president for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Com­munity Engagement has known Acaba for more than 25 years, as a schoolmate, a U.S. Marine, a teacher, and now NASA astronaut.

“In every aspect of his life, Joe has distinguished himself,” Munoz said. “I am not surprised that he has carefully selected Texas Tech to begin this new chapter of his life, at one of the country’s great public research universities. We are proud to welcome Joe to Texas Tech, and the Red Raider family.”

Acaba’s space flight experience includes STS-119 Discovery (March 15-28, 2009), the 125th shuttle flight, the 36th flight of Discovery and the 28th shuttle flight to the International Space Station. He accumulated 12 hours and 57 minutes of extravehicular activities in two spacewalks. STS-119 landed at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, having traveled 202 orbits and 5.3 million statute miles.

His teaching experience includes one year of high school science at Melbourne High School, Florida and four years of middle school math and science teaching experience at Dunnellon Middle School, Florida.

Acaba is a member of the International Technology Education Association, the Florida Association of Science Teachers, and the Association of Space Explorers.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.

CONTACT: Walter Smith, professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-1998 ext. 446, or walter.smith@ttu.edu.

To see past episodes click here.

Ask The Experts

If you have the question, our experts have the answer.

Texas Tech Today is debuting a new series showcasing the many and diverse experts we have on campus.

Each month, the designated expert(s) will be available to answer reader-submitted questions relative to their area of expertise. Only the best questions will be selected, and the expert(s) will then answer them in a video segment called “Ask The Experts.”

Questions may be submitted in several ways:

• Email
• Texas Tech’s Facebook page.
• Texas Tech’s Twitter feed.

Along with your question, include your name and current place of residence. If you are a Texas Tech student, please also include your current classification and hometown. If you are an alumnus, include the year in which you graduated.

View complete "Ask The Experts" guidelines here.

…

“It really doesn’t generally rise to the legal definition of insanity,” says Huffman, now dean emeritus of the law school at Texas Tech University. “So there’s no way to account for it in the guilt or innocence phase of the trial.”

Pantoya came to Texas Tech in 2000 as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, hoping to develop a successful program that would inspire students.

Michelle Pantoya hits the ground running as she and her husband, Damian, send off their boys to school. They include 9-year-old twins, Joseph and Aidan, 7-year-old Damie, and 5-year-old Mitch.

As in many large families, the youngest has figured out how to be heard.

“We get up at six in the morning, but my mom stays in bed until seven,” Mitch explained.

His amused mother questioned his analysis.

“So let me get this straight, I roll out of bed completely dressed and made up each morning?”

Mitch was stumped.

West Texas transplants from California, Michelle and Damian Pantoya met in high school and went to the prom together, but they attended different universities. Damian, a graduate of Sacramento State, is now director of finance at Lubbock Power & Light. Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering, and a master’s and doctorate in mechanical engineering, all from the University of California at Davis.

She came to Texas Tech in 2000 as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, with a vision to develop a successful program that would inspire students. Her areas of teaching and research include wind tunnel modeling, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and combustion. It is evident that Pantoya’s daily routine is a far cry from the stereotype of aprons and feather dusters. She is very much hands-on, both at home and in her lab.

“You follow your passion and do what you enjoy. And balancing family and career is the key to my happiness,” Pantoya said. “It’s a lot, but through patience and perseverance, you prevail. And in the end it’s very rewarding.”

A Passion for Teaching

On a particular Friday in May, Pantoya began her day preparing to meet with her graduate students one last time before the end of the semester. She is assisted by one of her students, Chelsea Weir, who gathers coffee and doughnuts.

“Chelsea will be graduating this month, and I’m really going to miss her,” Pantoya said, walking from the kitchenette to her office. “She’s moving to Houston to work for a group that has not seen fit to hire a new employee in 30 years. How exciting is that?”

Pantoya’s office desk is covered with artwork created by her four boys.

Pantoya gathered a few last-minute items from her office, where you can’t help but notice the influence of her boys. Her white desk has a splash of color, thanks to their artwork attached to all sides of it, also to her walls and the outside of her office door.

By 9:30 a.m., several members of Pantoya’s group have gathered in a conference room in Industrial Engineering. Following introductions, she began the meeting with light conversation and laughter, while discussing her students’ plans for the summer, both personally and professionally.

“My students are my inspiration,” Pantoya said. “They bring a contagious enthusiasm that leads to great ideas.”

Before shifting to student presentations, Pantoya decides to break for doughnuts. Only after her students have satisfied their hunger would she delve into serious conversation. As students presented their progress via slide presentations, she was an intent listener, soft-spoken and inquisitive. She offered solutions and constructive criticism, all of which seemed well-received by her students.

After the meeting, two of her students stayed behind for individual consultations. One took advantage of the brief walk back her office; the other required a more sit-down approach. And Pantoya was more than willing to take the time.

Making a Difference

Next on her itinerary is a visit to the lab at 10:45 a.m., where her group studies energetic material combustion.

“Examples are explosives, pyrotechnics and propellants,” Pantoya said, demonstrating on a pocket hand warmer. “These are materials that do not require an additional oxidizer to react.”

The hand warmer generates heat through exothermic crystallization of supersaturated solutions. The opaque liquid packet first appears clear, but quickly turns milky solid after the user flexes the disc initiating the crystallization reaction.

“And the packet is reusable,” Pantoya said as she traded her floral skirt with heels, for a floral skirt with tennis shoes. “Just put it in hot water. Isn’t that neat?” Technology like the hand warmer delivers universal intrigue and appreciation for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). That is why Pantoya has expanded her reach well beyond the college years, all the way to elementary school. “Children are impressionable,” Pantoya said. “There is a need to plant the seed while they are young, watch it grow and allow it an opportunity to blossom into a stimulating and rewarding career.”

Pantoya is working with Texas Tech associate professor Zenaida Aguirre-Munoz to research the influence Pantoya’s books have with children.

Children can identify with professions like doctor, teacher, police or fireman, she said. If you ask a child what an engineer does, however, they will say they drive a train.

As winner of multiple awards and honors, Pantoya can now add author to the list. Her first book with business partner and co-author Emily M. Hunt, “Engineering Elephants,” published in March 2010, has received rave reviews for the engaging humor and creative explanation of engineering concepts targeting children ages 4-8.

“It is my hope that through my series of children’s books, and age appropriate activities, more will consider engineering and STEM in their pursuit of a brighter future,” Pantoya said.

Texas Tech President Guy Bailey read their second book, “Pride by Design” to Lubbock school children for National Reading Day in January. This story features Raider Red as he takes in the sights and sounds of Raiderland.

“Engineering was our inspiration, and we put it with something they can understand, like sports,” Pantoya said. “We talk about specially engineered fabric that can wick away sweat and cool off cross-country runners, to the sweet spot on a tennis racket.”

A third book, “Designing Dandelions,” will be published in 2012, with plans for more, in collaboration with Zenaida Aguirre-Munoz, associate professor in the Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies program within the Curriculum and Instruction department of the College of Education.

A Mother’s Touch

When 11:15 a.m. arrived, Pantoya’s lunch choice was more than a quarter mile away at Sam’s Place in Murray Hall. The clock was ticking, because she had an appointment with Aguirre-Munoz at noon.

“We’ll have about 10 minutes to eat,” she warned, as she placed a huge wrap on her tray. “I’m going to cut mine in half and bring it to Zenaida. She doesn’t know I’m doing it, but I know that she is often too busy to take time out for lunch.”

With lunch out of the way, the walking shoes were put to the test again, with the half-mile walk from Murray Hall to the Education Building.

Grateful for the half wrap, Aguirre-Munoz and Pantoya spoke for approximately 30 minutes, as Pantoya jotted notes in a pink legal pad. The future of Pantoya and Hunt’s book series was discussed, and also the prospect of adding a website and smart phone applications.

“The world is changing so fast with so many advances in technology, we’ll need to inspire the next generation of engineers to keep the momentum alive,” Pantoya said.

Pantoya and her husband Damien have four boys: 9-year-old twins, Joseph and Aidan, 7-year-old Damie, and 5-year-old Mitch.

It’s all in a day’s work for Pantoya, but the real challenge is about to begin.

After finishing up on campus, she makes the drive to their home, south of town. There, the household comes alive at 4 p.m., as all four boys enjoy a late afternoon meal consisting of chicken nuggets, fruits and vegetables and chocolate milk.

Joseph and Aidan have a baseball game shortly, and are already suited up. Damie and Mitch will dress later for their practice and scrimmage at another field. Damie finished first and quietly slips away from the table, disappearing to his room. Meanwhile Mitch, a typical 5-year-old, chose to entertain, more so than eat.

As the twins finish their meals, they check on the family pets, which include two dogs, an aquarium of frogs and a young hamster – which lives in an elaborate enclosure complete with hamster playground.

The family patriarch arrived just as Damie called from his bedroom, hidden beneath a blanket. The boy is having trouble selecting something appropriate to wear.

“Michelle keeps it all together, she makes sure everyone is fed and gets them where they need to go,” Damian said. “The schedule is simple: baseball every night, for at least one of them. And they enjoy it. None of the boys is ever forced to do anything, except maybe Mitch.”

He left the entire family laughing as he went outside to greet a repairman who had just arrived to inspect damage after a recent hail storm.

With time running out, the boys were ushered outside, where bat bags and vehicles were waiting. Two climb in mom’s SUV, and the other two load up in dad’s pickup.

After a long day, this family of six is headed to separate ball fields, and the ruckus that preceded their departure is silenced by a shutting garage door. The only sound is that of a water bottle tumbling into the ditch – forgotten on the bumper of Damian’s truck.

This year’s Overall Student Organization of the Year is Tech Habitat for Humanity.

Texas Tech’s annual Student Organization Recognition Awards were announced at the traditional Arbor Day ceremonies.

The Student Organization Recognition Awards recognizes advisors and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the Texas Tech and greater Lubbock community.

Overall Student Organization of the Year is Tech Habitat for Humanity.

Organization of the Year:

• Academic: Association of Information Technology Professionals
• Departmental: National Society of Black Engineers
• Fraternity/Sorority: Kappa Delta Chi
• Graduate: Association of Biologists
• Honorary: Gamma Beta Phi
• Multicultural: Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• Religious: Catholic Student Association
• Residential: Residence Halls Association
• Service: Alpha Phi Omega
• Special Interest: Knight Raiders
• Spirit: High Riders
• Sports Club: Tech Judo Club

Outstanding Organization Advisors are:

• Academic:  Mead Bond Wetherbe, Association for Information Technology Professionals
• Departmental:  Stephen Bayne, National Society of Black Engineers
• Fraternity/ Sorority: Jason Biggs, Interfraternity Council
• Honorary:  Jerry Hudson, Mass Communications Dean’s Student Council
• Multicultural:  Janie Ramirez, Hispanic Student Society
• Residential:  Craig Kuehnert, Residence Halls Association
• Service: Jon Mark Bernal, Alpha Phi Omega
• Sports Club:  Mario Pitalua, Tech Judo Club

Overall Most Improved Organization of the Year is RaiderThon.

Most Improved Organizations are:

• Departmental: Tech Collegiate FFA
• Multicultural: Sri Lankan Students Association
• Religious: Chi Rho

Criteria for the awards are available here.

The first episode of “Big Break Atlantis” airs at 9 p.m., Monday (May 14) on the Golf Channel.

A big break may be coming for a former Texas Tech student athlete.

Gloriana Soto, a former member of the Texas Tech’s women’s golf team, will be competing on Golf Channel’s “Big Break Atlantis,” a competition at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas. Twelve amateur golfers will be competing on the show for a spot to play on the LPGA Tour.

Soto is the first female professional golfer from Costa Rica to compete in the U.S. She was born into a golfing family and started learning from her father and grandfather at age 8.

“Being the first woman professional in Costa Rica for me has been very special,” Soto said. “I want to open doors for young aspiring golfers in Costa Rica. I want them to know that it is possible to follow their dreams with golf.”

Soto lives her life based on a philosophy of always going with her gut instinct. This philosophy led her to Texas Tech.

“I am a person that goes by feelings,” Soto told Golf Channel’s Jeremy Friedman. “How I feel. I always trust my gut instinct. Something inside told me Texas Tech was the place to go.”

Soto said she was scared about her decision but knew it was the right one. She learned a lot about herself in college including how to thrive under pressure.

“Playing golf at Texas Tech was very beneficial to my golf career,” she said. “When I was there we competed against some of the top universities in the country, which helped elevate my game to a new level.”

Soto received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in exercise sports science in 2009.

“Texas Tech is by far one of the best universities in the country, with some of the best facilities. As a professional golfer I can now say that I was blessed to play there.”

The first episode of “Big Break Atlantis” airs at 9 p.m., Monday (May 14) on the Golf Channel.

For more information about the show click here.

Texas Tech awarded the President’s Competitive Scholarship and the President’s Interactive Scholarship to four students.

This is the first year the scholarships are being offered. Brad Looney from Fort Worth and Jeffrey Chen from Missouri City were each awarded the President’s Competitive Scholarship in the amount of $2,500. Faith Jurek from Goldthwaite and Saba Nafees from Fort Worth were each awarded the President’s Interactive Scholarship in the amount of $2,500.

“We are excited about these new scholarships, and thrilled to have another opportunity to reward students who excel both in and outside the classroom,” Texas Tech President Guy Bailey said. “Brad, Jeffrey, Faith and Saba all embody what Texas Tech University wants in a student: commitment, excellence and a desire to be the best.”

The scholarship recipients will be honored at an award luncheon on May 11.

The requirements for the President’s Competitive Scholarship include a 3.0 GPA, and involvement in leadership and extracurricular activities. The President’s Interactive Scholarship is designed to encourage student participation in one of the following: study abroad, internships or undergraduate research.

“We encourage all of our students to participate in at least one of the following activities during their time at Texas Tech: undergraduate research, study abroad, and internships,” Bailey said. “We know that these activities broaden our students’ educational experience and success, leading to exceptional opportunities upon graduation.”

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