Tamil Kayode-Adele of Midland, Texas, was recently awarded a $30,000 scholarship to Abilene Christian University by The Sumners Foundation. Adele is among 46 undergraduate students nationally to receive a Sumners scholarship in 2024.

Scholarship selections are based on academic excellence, civic engagement and a capacity for leadership, and the funds apply toward the students’ junior and senior years.

In her first two years at ACU, Adele, now a junior criminal justice major, has served as a class senator in the Student Government Association, an officer in the Black Student Union and Omicron Xi Chi sorority, a member of the debate team and the Gospel Choir, a Jack Pope Fellow, a resident advisor, and a student employee on campus. 

“Our scholars are selected from the very best students at colleges and universities after a rigorous interview process,” said board chairman Lon Williams in a press release from the Sumners Foundation. “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.”

The Sumners Foundation’s purpose is to encourage study, teaching and research into the science and art of self-government so that the American people may understand the fundamental principles of democracy and be guided in shaping governmental policies.

“We are thrilled that Tamil joins six other ACU students in the last four years who have been recognized as Sumners Scholars,” said Dr. Neal Coates, chair of the ACU Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice. “She is an excellent example of the many students at Abilene Christian who are dedicated to public service and making an impact in the world.”

Sumners Scholar alumni include such notables as U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, Chief Justice Nathan Hecht of the Texas Supreme Court, and Joseph Foran, chairman of Matador Resources.

Learn more about Sumners Scholars or about ACU’s Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice.

— Wendy Kilmer
June 6, 2024