Four students from Howard Payne University’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy were recently named Sumners Scholars for the 2016-2017 academic year. Acceptance into the Sumners Scholar Program, created by the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation, is based on an assessment of academic excellence, a sense of civic responsibility and leadership potential.

This year’s recipients include Rachel Hughes, junior from Llano; Joel Justice, sophomore from Brownwood; Isaac Sommers, junior from Boerne; and Rachel White, junior from Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Several Academy students vie each year for a chance to be a part of the program. The foundation provides a $7,500-per-semester stipend for its participating students to be used for tuition, fees, books or room and board.

Sumners Scholars are provided with opportunities to attend annual leadership and policy analysis conferences to supplement their learning and expand their growth potential. While receiving the scholarship, students are required to maintain a 3.25 GPA and be in good standing with the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy.

Dr. Matthew McNiece, associate professor of history and government and chair of the Department of History and Government, serves as assistant director for the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy.

“The Academy is proud to recognize the achievements of these four students,” he said. “We also wish to express our gratitude to the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation for the countless opportunities they’ve provided our students over the years.”

For more information about the Sumner Scholars Program at HPU, visit www.hputx.edu/sumners.

Pictured above: Four HPU students were recently named Sumners Scholars for the 2016-2017 academic year. Left to right: Rachel Hughes, Joel Justice, Isaac Sommers and Rachel White.