DBU Students Awarded $30,000 Scholarships by The Sumners Foundation

Greyson Goebel, Gage Roberts, and Joseph Alcazar – three juniors at Dallas Baptist University – were 3 out of only 34 students nationally to recently be awarded $30,000 scholarships by the Sumners Foundation in 2021.

The purpose of the Sumners Foundation is to encourage the study, teaching, and research into the science and art of self-government to the end that the American people may understand the fundamental principles of democracy and be guided thereby in shaping governmental policies. Scholarships awards are based on academic excellence, civic engagement, and leadership capacity.

“DBU is honored to have three Hatton Sumners scholars this year,” said Leslie Moulton, Director of Scholarship and Grant Resources at DBU. “These young men prepared, applied, interviewed, and succeeded! This scholarship program will undoubtedly shape them as students and U.S. citizens who will one day shape government policy.”

“The Sumners Scholarship is a very prestigious scholarship,” said Sumners Foundation Chairman Jerry Rais. “Sumners Scholars have made significant contributions to their communities, state, and country. Following in the footsteps of Congressman Hatton W. Sumners, we are pleased to support students working to improve the political system, address issues through public policy, educate others about civic responsibility, and be active, productive members of society."

The three DBU awardees are also current students in the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) program, and two of them – Greyson and Joseph – are founding leaders of the University’s first and newly established Debate Team.

“I am thrilled that the Sumners Foundation recognized the character and talents of these students,” said Lee Bratcher, who serves as Director of the PPE program and Associate Dean of the College of Humanities. “They are well on their way to becoming scholar statesmen and will take every opportunity afforded to them to further civics education and strengthen the institutions that underpin our Republic.”

The PPE program is grounded in the conviction that the study of the fundamental principles of these core disciplines will enable DBU graduates to communicate winsomely and lead faithfully in their respective callings in order to fulfill our world's deep need for Christian leaders.