On Friday, April 16, trustees from the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation interviewed candidates from Texas Wesleyan for its prestigious Sumners Scholars Program. The interviews were conducted on Zoom because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Texas Wesleyan is pleased to announce that the Sumners Foundation has added two students as Hatton W. Sumners scholars beginning in fall 2021.

• Jose Castillo (majoring in History)
• Manuela Lee (double majoring in Political Science and Psychology)

Jose and Manuel will join the three continuing scholars in the program:

• Lexi Barlow (double majoring in English and Mass Communication)
• Carla Coronado (majoring in History with Secondary Certification)
• Steven Leach (double majoring in History and Psychology)

In addition to a generous scholarship, Texas Wesleyan Sumners scholars will attend the Texas Tribune Festival and the Sumners Policy Weekend each year. Scholars also have the opportunity to participate in various lunches and lectures sponsored by the Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI). Finally, as of spring 2019, scholars also serve the community through volunteer opportunities.  

In lieu of the regular luncheon on campus in honor of the graduating scholars, Texas Wesleyan hosted the Sumners Foundation Trustees, current scholars and alumni scholars in a Zoom gathering on the same afternoon. Joined by President Frederick Slabach and faculty sponsors, present and past scholars (as far back as 2007) shared their experiences in the program and how the Sumners experience affected their careers.

One graduating Sumners Scholar was recognized at the event:

• Laura Ocana (majoring in Political Science with a pre-law emphasis)

The endowed Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship Program was established at Texas Wesleyan University in 1994. Since that time, many TXWES students have been honored as Sumners Scholars. The scholarship carries not only a significant stipend but also various opportunities, such as participation in the Hatton W. Sumners Student Leadership Conference, the Texas Tribune Festival and various other events specifically designed to develop scholars' leadership potential.  

For more information about the Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship, visit txwes.edu/academics/sumners.