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Hatton W. Sumners Scholars
Meet Christin, Derek, Jay, Josh, Michael, Jodi, Andrew, Bria, Lori, Melissa, Andrew, and Dearra -- our current Sumners Scholars. If you have questions about this scholarship or about law school in general, please feel free to contact them. For more information on the Sumners Scholarship criteria, and the application and selection process, click here.
| Undergraduate University: | Missouri State University |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Religious Studies, with a minor in Antiquities |
| Email Andrew with your questions. |
Andrew Austin was born in Memphis, Tennessee but moved to Missouri for the completion of his high-school degree. He was awarded Missouri's Bright Flight Scholarship and named a Missouri State University Board of Governors Scholar. Graduating from Missouri State University cum laude, in the Honors College, Andrew earned a B.A. in Religious Studies and a minor in Antiquities. Throughout his undergraduate career, Andrew was involved in many extracurricular activities ranging from intramural sports and Residence Hall Association to an active membership in the national organizations American Academy of Religions and the Society of Biblical Literature. Also, during his undergraduate career, Andrew gained a wealth of experience in legal, financial, and real-estate matters, most recently working with a law firm in the facilitation and coordination of Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges. He currently serves as Secretary for a national nonprofit organization Homeschool ALUMNI.
| Undergraduate University: | Oklahoma State University, 2005 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Finance |
| Email Josh with your questions. |
Originally from Midwest City, OK, Josh Brannon graduated summa cum laude in 2005 from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Finance. He was named a Regents' Distinguished Scholar and a Williams Scholar Leader. While at Oklahoma State, Josh also completed the Honors College Degree, represented the college as an Honors College Ambassador, and served at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. He was also a member of the honor fraternities of Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, and Mortar Board. Josh helped organize the Kidz Gig portion of Billy Graham's Mission OKC in 2003, and more recently, he tutored numerous student-athletes at Oklahoma State through the Academic Enhancement Center
| Undergraduate University: | Southern Nazarene University |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Organizational Leadership |
| Email Andrew with your questions. |
Born in Charlotte, N.C., Andrew Chilson graduated summa cum laude from Southern Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership. Prior to completing his undergraduate degree, he served for six years in the United States Air Force in the communication-electronics career field. While in the Air Force, Andrew's numerous accolades included receiving the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his involvement educating elementary students in child abuse prevention, and the Air Force Commendation Medal for excellence in the support of numerous military operations. After honorably completing his military service, Andrew worked as a project consultant and technical writer at the NEXRAD Doppler Radar Operations Center. Andrew worked on projects improving the reliability and operational status of over 158 radar systems used to produce severe storm warnings across the United States.
| Undergraduate University: | Henderson State University, 2005 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Business Administration, emphasis in Finance |
| Email Jodi with your questions. |
Jodi Cole, originally from Benton, AR, graduated Cum Laude in May, 2005 from Henderson State University with a B.B.A. degree with an emphasis in Finance. While at Henderson State, Jodi was an active member of Students in Free Enterprise, Alpha Chi, and Gamma Beta Phi. At OCU, Jodi is currently serving on the Programming Committee for the Oklahoma Bar Association Law student Division and is the Chairperson of the Merit Scholars Tutoring Committee. Last Summer Jodi was a summer associate at McAfee & Taft in Oklahoma City. Next summer, she will be clerking with Hall Estill in Oklahoma City and Friday, Eldridge & Clark in Little Rock, AR.
| Undergraduate University: | Oklahoma City University, 2006 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Political Science, History, and Spanish |
| Email Michael with your questions. |
Originally from Broken Arrow, OK, Michael Cooper attended college in upstate New York before returning to Oklahoma to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, triple-majoring in Political Science, History, and Spanish. While at OCU, Michael was a member of the varsity soccer team, served as the Student Senate President, and was very active in many other campus organizations. Last summer, Michael worked on a political campaign for the Oklahoma State House of Representatives. At OCU, he is currently an executive member of the SBA and involved with the Catholic Student Union.
| Undergraduate University: | Oklahoma Christian University, 2003 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Business Administration |
| Email Jay with your questions. |
Originally from Weatherford, OK, Jay Evans graduated in 2003 from Oklahoma Christian University, earning a B.B.A. degree. While at Oklahoma Christian, he spent a semester studying in Vienna, Austria and served as the Student Body President from 2001-2002. In 2004, Jay received his M.B.A. from Oklahoma Christian University while working in the school's admissions office. At OCU, he is currently the Treasurer of Merit Scholars; a member of the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Team; and an intern for Justice Yvonne Kauger of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The Hatton Sumners Foundation has been incredibly kind to me. It has given me a financial opportunity to attend law school. Also, it has introduced me to many of my good friends in law school, as well as to Sumners Alumni who have interviewed me for summer internships.
| Undergraduate University: | University of Oklahoma, 2002 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Business Administration, emphasis in Marketing and Management |
| Email Derek with your questions. |
Derek Ensminger was born in Dallas, TX and raised in Denton, TX. He graduated with a BBA in Marketing and Management from the University of Oklahoma in 2002. While at OU, he participated in the JCPenney Leadership Program, Brother's Under Christ Fraternity, Sooner Scouts, Student Recruitment, and Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. He was a campus tour guide for the University of Oklahoma for 3 years. At OCU, he is currently participating in the Student ABA. He is also a student representative for BarBri.
| Undergraduate University: | University of Oklahoma, 2007 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Political Science, with a minor in History |
| Email Melissa with your questions. |
Melissa Hedrick was born in Arlington, Texas, but was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She graduated in 2007 with special distinction from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History. While at OU, Melissa served in many key student positions, including Leadership Scholars and the Academic Services Student Advisory Committee for the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition to taking an active volunteer role, Melissa also received numerous scholarships and honors for her academic excellence and commitment to public service. Prior to attending OU, Melissa received an A.S. in Public Service from Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City, where she also led outreach efforts aimed at non-traditional students as a student government activity coordinator. While pursuing her undergraduate degrees, Melissa worked as a legal assistant in a prominent Oklahoma City law firm.
| Undergraduate University: | Texas Christian University, 2005 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Radio/Television/Film |
| Email Christin with your questions. |
Originally from San Antonio, TX, Christin Jeffrey graduated magna cum laude in 2005 from Texas Christian University with a B.S. in Radio/Television/Film. While attending TCU, Christin was honored with the TCU Fine Arts and Communications Award Scholarship, as well as the TCU Emerging Leader Award Scholarship. Christin also participated in many student organizations including the National Society for Colligate Scholars, Golden Key, and the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity. During her summers, Christin studied abroad twice living in London, England and Tuscania, Italy. She also interned for the office of Judge Laura Parker, a juvenile district court judge in San Antonio, TX. Currently, Christin is participating in the OCU Law chapters of Merit Scholars and the Sports and Entertainment Law Association.
| Undergraduate University: | University of Nebraska, 2007 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Political Science, International Studies, and Spanish |
| Email Dearra with your questions. |
Dearra Johnson is from Falls City, Nebraska. She graduated summa cum laude in 2007 earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with majors in Political Science, International Studies, and Spanish. Dearra was a Regent's Scholar at UNK and very active with campus life including the Loper Spirit Squad, Student Government, Model United Nations, and the Community for Active Citizenship. She spent a semester studying at Georgetown while interning for the Federalist Society and a summer in an intensive language program in Guadalajara, Mexico. She was also employed as a Legal Assistant for Tye & Rademacher, P.C., L.L.O. and as a Work-Study for the Political Science and Criminal Justice Departments.
| Undergraduate University: | University of Oklahoma, 2007 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Professional Writing, with a minor in Criminology |
| Email Lori with your questions. |
Originally from Yukon, OK, Lori McConnell graduated with special distinction from the University of Oklahoma in 2007 with a B.A. in Professional Writing and a minor in Criminology. During her time as an undergraduate, Lori received the Stanley P. Vestal Professional Writing Award, Paul and Ruth Jonas Academic Scholarship, Award of Excellence, and Sooner Heritage Award. While earning her bachelor's degree, she has also been employed at Action Printing.
| Undergraduate University: | University of Oklahoma, 2007 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | History with an emphasis in Classical Culture |
| Email Bria with your questions. |
Bria Moore, originally from Jenks, Oklahoma, graduated with Distinction in 2007 from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. in History with an emphasis in Classical Culture. While at OU she was a member of the international women's fraternity Alpha Omicron Pi where she held various offices, including Vice-President of Academic Development and Chapter Relations Class Chair. She was recognized as an OU Scholar and obtained a scholarship from Frasier and Frasier Law Firm in Tulsa, OK. In 2006, she interned for United States Senator James Inhofe. Bria was also a member of Golden Key International Honor Society and volunteered for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Hatton W. Sumners Recent Alumni
Since 1985, a select group of incoming 1Ls have been selected as Sumners Scholars. Meet Teresa and Kendra -- recent Sumners graduates. For more information on the Sumners Scholarship criteria, and the application and selection process, click here.
| Undergraduate University: | Kansas State University, 2004 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | Agricultural Economics and Business Administration, emphasis in Accounting |
Originally from Sharon Springs, KS, Kendra Robben graduated summa cum laude in 2004 from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics and a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. While at Kansas State, Kendra was on the varsity equestrian team for two years, was active in a variety of campus organizations, worked at the Aurther Capper Cooperative Center at KSU and had internships with a large agricultural cooperative in Iowa, Land O'Lakes, and a public accounting firm in Salina Kansas, Kennedy and Co. At OCU, Kendra has been the president of Merit Scholars, the Annual Conference Coordinator for the Law Student Division of the Oklahoma Bar Association, a member of the Agricultural Law Association, and a member of the OCU's ABA Appellate Advocacy Team. She is currently serving as the Chair of the Oklahoma Bar Association Law Student Division and the Division's liaison to the OBA Board of Governors. Following graduation from OCU, Kendra has accepted employment with Hartzog, Conger, Cason & Neville in Oklahoma City, OK.
| Undergraduate University: | University of Oklahoma, 2004 |
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| Undergraduate Major: | English and Psychology |
Teresa Gerber, originally from Fairview, Oklahoma, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma with a B.S. in English and a B.S. in Psychology. While an undergrad, Teresa was involved in the Baptist Student Union. At OCU, Teresa was the exchequer of Phi Delta Phi Honors Fraternity, the vice-president of Merit Scholars, and the vice-president of the Christian Legal Society. She is currently the President of Merit Scholars and the President of the Christian Legal Society. She has worked for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Oklahoma and for a defense attorney in Norman. She is currently employed by the Cleveland County District Attorney's Office in Norman, Oklahoma, where she has worked since May 2006.