On Friday, February 18, trustees from the Sumners Foundation interviewed the seven candidates who had made it to the final round of the selection process for Texas Wesleyan's 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 Sumners scholars beginning in fall 2022.

• Bailey O’Donnell (Political Science and English)
• Benjamin Reckart (Political Science)

Bailey and Benjamin will join the three continuing scholars in the program:

• Jose Castillo (History)
• Manuela Lee (Political Science)

In addition to a generous scholarship, Texas Wesleyan Sumners Scholars will attend 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 Glenn Lewis who spoke on the importance of civil discourse in today’s political climate.  Additionally, faculty sponsors, present and past scholars (as far back as 2007) shared how the Sumners experience has affected their careers.

Three graduating Sumners Scholars were recognized at the event:

• Lexi Barlow (Political Science and Mass Communication)
• Carla Coronado (History with Secondary Teaching Certification)
• Steven Leach (History and Psychology)

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 Sumners Scholarship, visit txwes.edu/academics/sumners.