2025 Dr. Howard & Beth Hoekje Conservation Scholarship Recipients
Every year the Audubon Outdoor Club sponsors the Dr. Howard & Beth Hoekje Conservation Scholarship for distinguished graduate and undergraduate students at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University-Kingsville pursuing research and future careers in wildlife conservation. Each scholar receives $1,000. Applications for the 2026 Scholarship will open in Summer 2026.
Marissa Spinelli
Graduate Student
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Marissa Spinelli is a master’s student in Environmental Science at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Originally from Fort Worth, TX, she studies within the Center for Coastal Studies, where her research focuses on the early recovery and reinvasion of native vegetation following invasive shrub (Brazilian Pepper Tree - Schinus terebinthifolia) removal on spoil islands in the Laguna Madre, in collaboration with Padre Island National Seashore. She completed her undergraduate degree (B.S. Environmental Science) at TAMU–CC in May 2025, graduating with a 4.0 GPA and fast-tracking into the master’s program. During that time, she served as an officer for the Islander Green Team, a student-led sustainability club on campus. Beyond research, she is passionate about blending art and science to engage the public. She has secured grants to create a scientific painting and a living plant terrarium installation on campus, both designed to inspire curiosity and appreciation for our coastal environment. Looking ahead, she aspires to lead a parks and recreation department or work as a land manager, but above all, she is grateful for the opportunity to serve the environment and contribute to conservation in the Coastal Bend.
Soleil DeLorge
Undergraduate Student
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Soleil DeLorge is a senior at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, pursuing a bachelor's degree in marine biology. Originally from North Branch, Minnesota, she moved to Texas to follow her passion for marine mammals and broaden her experience in the field. She enjoys scuba diving and photography, and she hopes to incorporate these interests into her future work in conservation. Over the past couple of years, She has gained valuable hands-on experience in different labs focused on coral and dolphin ecology. Her goal is to pursue a master's degree in marine biology with a research emphasis on how human activities influence whale behavior and social dynamics. Ultimately, she hopes to work with marine mammals—whether in research, aquariums, or industry—and to help educate others and protect these important animals.
Megan Spina
Graduate Student
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Megan grew up in the central New Jersey town of Manalapan. She went on to earn her B.S. In Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources with a minor in Evolutionary Anthropology and a certificate in Environmental Geomatics from Rutgers University in 2022. During this time, she assisted in various research projects on topics including coastal restoration, ecological disturbances, and white-tailed deer-farmer interactions. Her senior thesis was on exploring the role of unreported catch in the management of New England fisheries. After graduating, Megan worked at Devils Postpile National Monument in California, Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, and Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, gaining experience in executing outreach activities, conducting habitat assessments, researching population trends, and releasing and monitoring endangered species. At TAMUK, Megan seeks to explore what resources White-winged Doves are selecting for within their breeding home ranges and how nest site characteristics across an urban-rural gradient influence their nest survival. After graduation, Megan hopes to be a wildlife biologist in either the government or non-profit sector, helping restore and manage habitats for at-risk species.
Elena Gonzalez
Undergraduate Student
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Elena Gonzales is an undergraduate student-athlete majoring in Rangeland and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Originally from Natalia, Texas, her conservation journey began as a Land Stewardship Ambassador with the San Antonio Witte Museum and Texas Brigades. Her passion for conservation grew through a paid internship with the Texas A&M–Kingsville Department of Natural Resources, where she is currently involved in a study examining the impact of standard land management practices on soil hydrologic function and microbial respiration in South Texas clay-loam rangelands. She aspires to conduct research that advances our understanding of how land and wildlife management practices can help mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.