Above, 2016 Ben Hogan Foundation Mentor Scholarship recipient Josh Hinojosa (center) with his parents, Melissa and Hector Hinojosa.

Joshua Hinojosa has the drive to earn his bachelor’s degree at a top-tier university.

Hinojosa, 18, of Fort Worth, is the 2016 recipient of the Ben Hogan Foundation Mentor Scholarship.

The award covers four years of tuition, fees and books at Texas Wesleyan University, and also pairs the recipient with an accomplished business leader in Fort Worth.

Hinojosa is the first in his family to attend a four-year university and is excited to be the first in his family to receive a bachelor’s degree. 

“One of the core pursuits of Mr. Hogan's Foundation is to help young people acquire a college education,” Robert Stennett, executive director of the Ben Hogan Foundation, said. “We believe there are few things one can do more to help a young adult.” 

The First Tee of Fort Worth, which teaches life skills through golf, nominates students who meet the criteria and have excelled in The First Tee program. The Ben Hogan Foundation interviews the applicants and selects the recipient. Selections are based on academics, community service and character. 

“Joshua is someone who I have quite literally watched grow up from a quiet boy into a poised, confident and mature young man who lives out all of the values of The First Tee and he will be a tremendous ambassador for all three organizations,” Kevin Long, executive director of The First Tee, said. “I am very pleased that he has been awarded this scholarship.”

For Hinojosa, the most valuable lesson he has learned from his 13-year involvement with The First Tee is the value of hard work.

“To be good at golf, or really excel at anything you want to accomplish, you have to put in hard work and practice,” Hinojosa said.

While he is an avid golfer, he will not play golf in college.

“Golf is a hobby for me, and I want to keep my focus on academics,” Hinojosa said. 

Hinojosa will continue his passion for math and numbers by majoring in computer science at Texas Wesleyan.

As a part of the scholarship program, he will be paired with Jason Snider, senior director at TPG Capital, an investment management firm in Fort Worth.

Snider will work with Hinojosa to help guide him through his studies, and offer career advice and networking opportunities in Fort Worth.

Hinojosa is saving time for student life, too. When asked what he is looking forward to most about coming to Texas Wesleyan, his response:

“Going to football games.” 

Texas Wesleyan announced in February 2016 that it is reinstating its football program after a 75-year hiatus. The University is currently recruiting its leadership class of players to begin at Texas Wesleyan in the fall; the team will play their first games in the fall of 2017.

Ben Hogan Foundation’s largest scholarship

The Ben Hogan Foundation Mentor Scholarship is the foundation’s largest scholarship and represents Texas Wesleyan’s largest, privately-funded scholarship program.

“It is a privilege to partner with the Ben Hogan Foundation and The First Tee to honor Mr. Hogan’s legacy in Fort Worth through this program,” Texas Wesleyan University President Frederick G. Slabach said. 

The four-year partnership, now in its third year, is valued at approximately $500,000. The program will award five scholarships over four years.

“A key part of our 2020 Vision strategic plan is to provide affordable, high-quality education. This scholarship is just one of the many ways we are opening doors to students to experience our top-tier university,” Slabach said. 

Hinojosa is the fourth recipient of this award. Stennett said that each of the past three recipients are consistently making straight A’s at Texas Wesleyan. 

“Perhaps the best measure of this program is looking at how the past scholarship recipients are performing,” Stennett said.