Sasha Wilborn, Erica Perry, and Natalie Garcia, all sophomores at Texas Wesleyan University were each awarded a $30,000 scholarship by The Sumners Foundation of Irving, Texas. Scholarships are awarded by the Foundation based on civic engagement, academic excellence, a capacity for leadership, and a desire to further our democracy. 

Sasha, Erica, and Natalie join the 3 continuing Wesleyan Sumners Scholars--Daylan Anderson Harris, Kehinde Hopkins, and Karen Gutierrez.  They are three of just 36 students nationally to receive a Sumners scholarship in 2026. 

The Sumners Scholarship program has been at the core of the Sumners Foundation’s purpose since shortly after its inception in 1949. Our Scholars are selected from the very best students at colleges and universities after a rigorous interview process. To be selected as a Sumners Scholar is an honor that will remain with the Scholar throughout his or her lifetime,” said Board Chairman Scott Higginbotham. “Over the decades Sumners Scholars have made significant contributions to their communities, their states and America. Following in the footsteps of Congressman Hatton W. Sumners, the Foundation is pleased to support students striving to improve our political system, address societal challenges through crafting public policies based upon the fundamental principles of American democracy, educate all Americans about their civic obligations as citizens, and be active, productive members of our Republic.

The endowed Sumners Scholarship Program was established at Texas Wesleyan University in 1994.

Sumners Scholar alumni include such notables as U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, former Senior Deputy Attorney General of Oklahoma Dara Derryberry, Chairman of Matador Resources Joe Foran, former Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court Nathan Hecht, President of the University of Texas at Arlington Jennifer Cowley, and past Chancellor of the New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church Charles L. Moore.