2000s

Oscar A. Garza, BA ’00, JD ’03, of Eagle Pass, TX, established the Oscar A. Garza Endowed Scholarship in 2022 and supports students enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences, with preference give to bilingual students pursuing a degree in political science or the pre-law program.

Michelle I. Mason, BA ’00, authored her second young adult novel, My Second Impression of You [Bloomsbury, 2022], Sept. 20, 2022. The story follows 16-year-old Broadway hopeful Maggie Scott who, after the worst day ever, has the opportunity to relive the best day of her life through an app on her phone. Kirkus Reviews called it “Equal parts sweet romance and thought-provoking story of self-discovery.”

Russell Jones, BBA ’01, and Taryn Jones of Houston established the Russell and Taryn Jones Endowment in Business which supports the Department of Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation.

Jason Murdock, BBA ’03, and his wife Ella, owners of Southernite Interiors in Canton, GA, recently celebrated their home decor and furnishing store’s fifth year anniversary in Sept. 2022.

Melissa Roush-Schmehl, JD ’03, and Ian Schmehl of Forney, TX, established the Roush-Schmehl Family Endowed Scholarship, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, which supports students enrolled at Baylor.

Cristina Luna, BA ’04, was a part of the Class of 2022 doctorate of education in organizational change & leadership from the University of Southern California. Cristina defended her dissertation Nov. 10, 2022. Topic: Latina-oriented sororities: Identifying attitudes toward the new member education process.

Marissa Marquez, BA ’04, was promoted to human resources manager of System Compliance and Immigration at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Jay Barnes, MDiv ’05, was led by God to join the Asbury Theological Seminary family as the director of community formation in Sept. 2022. He is now humbled to announce that he was appointed as the new vice president of formation. He is looking forward to continuing the work of this department in serving the spiritual and community needs of its students, both those local to Wilmore, KY, and those who are spread out all over the world! Alida, MSCSD ’03, and the boys are excited as well.

Allison Dickson, JD ’07, was hired by the Patterson Law Group. Patterson Law Group has been fighting for justice for accident victims across the state for decades. Allison lives by the motto, “I don’t need easy. I just need possible.” Diagnosed with Werdnig-Hoffman Muscular Dystrophy when she was 15 months old, she was given only a year to live. Not only has she defied the odds and survived, but she has thrived.

Crystal Leatch George, BSW ’07, MSW ’08, of Spring, TX, established the Crystal Leatch George Endowed Scholarship in Social Work, a Hord Challenge Scholarship, which supports students enrolled in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work.

Col. Ali Masson, MPP&A ’08, successfully completed Brigade Command in May 2022 in San Antonio — affording a Waco homecoming appearance — and is now assigned in an executive position to Headquarters Department of the Army, Pentagon, VA. The best part of the last assignment was living in Texas. This assignment includes taking care of soldiers and families. She says, “It is still an honor to serve.”