The Ben Hogan Foundation and Texas Wesleyan University have partnered to form the Ben Hogan Foundation Mentor Scholarship, which will be awarded annually to a candidate from The First Tee of Fort Worth to cover the full cost of tuition, fees and books.

Robert Stennett, executive director of the Ben Hogan Foundation, and Frederick G. Slabach, president of Texas Wesleyan University, announced the partnership Wednesday during the Ben Hogan Breakfast Club event at Colonial Country Club.

“Texas Wesleyan is proud to partner with two great organizations, the Ben Hogan Foundation and First Tee of Forth Worth, to provide full scholarships to deserving students,” said Slabach. “At Texas Wesleyan, our "Smaller. Smarter." approach will help these motivated students use the lessons they've learned in First Tee to thrive in college.”

Committed to education

With an initial value of approximately $400,000, the four-year partnership represents the largest privately funded scholarship program at the university, and validates the missions of both organizations as they strive to provide need-based assistance within the Fort Worth community.

"Even though Mr. Hogan was not able to pursue his education, it was always something he recognized as very important,” said Stennett. “As a result, scholarships for deserving youth has always been one area in which Mr. Hogan's Foundation has focused.”

Under the terms of the agreement, each organization will cover 50 percent of the cost of the annually renewable scholarships for a full four-year period. Candidates will be selected by The First Tee, and scholarships will be awarded by a review committee comprised of representatives from the foundation and the university.

Two students will be awarded scholarships in the first year of the program, and one recipient will be selected in each of the following years.

More than just financial aid

The scholarship program will also pair students with a mentor from the Ben Hogan Foundation to provide career guidance and help ensure positive results.

Mark Kalpakis and Dean Williams, both leaders in the oil and gas industry, will serve as mentors to the first two scholarship recipients.

“This venture between the Ben Hogan Foundation, First Tee of Fort Worth and Texas Wesleyan will change lives,” said Stennett. “It is a partnership that would make Mr. Hogan very proud.”