It was a typical, stressful meeting for the scholarship committee trying to select one winner, until one scholarship turned into three.
The Mustang Leaders Scholarship is a $6,500 scholarship awarded to an SMU student who demonstrates strong leadership qualities through participation in student organizations. But it became three $6,500 scholarships when the finalists proved equally outstanding.
“As we reviewed the finalists’ applications and resumes, we learned it was impossible to choose just one winner. Each of the finalists were equally qualified and to pick one winner would have been favoritism,” explained Ben Manthey, chair of the Scholarship Committee.
The committee selected students Bethany Peters, Sommer Saadi and Katherine Tullos as the first winners of the Mustang Leaders Scholarship.
An anonymous alumnus who served the SMU community as a student leader founded the scholarship to reward students for their time and dedication.
The alumnus understands the time commitment it takes to be a student leader, explains Manthey. With the alumnus’ support and generosity, the committee was able to recognize all three of the finalists and reward them for their hard work and achievements.
Peters, an SMU junior art and film major, contributes to the SMU community as a Meadows Senator. In Student Senate she has worked on the Communications Committee and the Research and Recommendations Committee, and she was elected to serve as Senate vice-president for the 2007-2008 school year. Peters also serves as the Kappa Kappa Gamma new member chair and is a member of the Student Filmmakers Association.
“I am honored to have the privilege to go to SMU and get involved, but to be able to get a scholarship is more than I could ask for,” said Peters. ” This inspires me to want to give back.” Sommer Saadi, a sophomore journalism major, serves as editor of the Rotunda Yearbook. She has also been selected twice for the Maguire Center’s summer internships, which give students a stipend to volunteer at a non-profit during the summer. Saadi traveled to Romania to volunteer with orphans.
“SMU Senate Scholarships carry prestige and to receive a scholarship that recognizes top leaders in the community is a huge honor, and I am in amazing company,” said Saadi.
Katherine Tullos, a junior political science major, is the student body vice president and the student body president-elect.
“This scholarship was a great opportunity to show what a leader means on campus. You always hear the word leader, but how do you really define it?” said Tullos. ” I think it is great to have this scholarship to recognize and appreciate the time and effort that people put forth. It is amazing to have three recipients.”
“Leading a student organization is important and it’s a huge responsibility. It’s nice to see that students who are willing to devote their time are able to be rewarded,” said Manthey. “All three of our winners exemplify what the scholarship stands for. They all dedicate their time and effort to the SMU community and we are proud to reward them the first Mustang Leaders Scholarships.”
