Southwestern University Students Samuel Hoffman ’27 and Ethan Wilcox ’26 Earn 2025 Sumners Scholarships
Samuel Hoffman ’27 and Ethan Wilcox ’26 were each awarded $40,000 scholarships from The Sumners Foundation for their studies at Southwestern University.
Southwestern University’s long and storied history withThe Sumners Foundationcontinues as a pair of students have earned 2025 Sumners Scholarships. Samuel Hoffman ’27, a political science major from Round Rock, TX, and Ethan Wilcox ’26, a history major from Amarillo, TX, were each awarded $40,000 scholarships to fund their remaining undergraduate studies.
Hoffman and Wilcox are two of just 36 undergraduate students nationally to receive a Sumners Scholarship in 2025. Presented annually, these scholarships are awarded to students who display civic engagement, academic excellence, a capacity for leadership, and a desire to further our democracy.
“The Sumners Scholarship program has been at the core of the Sumners Foundation’s purpose since shortly after its inception in 1949,” The Sumners Foundation Board Chairman Scott Higginbotham said. “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.”
In addition to the scholarship funds, Scholars are provided with numerous opportunities to learn about and become involved in programs that further our democracy. Scholars have the chance to participate inBraver Angelsprogramming, theTexas Tribune Festival, and funded internships, as well as interact with former members of Congress.
Hoffman and Wilcox add to Southwestern’s lengthy history with The Sumners Foundation. Ongoing collaboration among SU’s fellowship advisor and Senior Associate Director of the Center for Career & Professional Development Alexandra Anderson, faculty champions, SU Sumners Scholar alumni, and current Scholars themselves, has been instrumental in helping Southwestern students succeed in the competition. A year ago, SU students Andie Abell ’26 and Fernando Cruz-Rivera ’26 became two of just 45 students nationally to receive a Sumners Scholarship.
Across the country, notable Sumners Scholar alumni include 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.
“Over the decades, Sumners Scholars have made significant contributions to their communities, their states, and America,” Higginbotham said. “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.”
Southwestern University published this content on May 05, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 05, 2025 at 18:08 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io
