UCO Student Gareth Morton Receives Prestigious Sumners Scholarship

June 14, 2022

Media Contact: Kyla Carter, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UCO University Communications, 405-974-2127, kcarter25@uco.edu

UCO Student Gareth Morton Receives Prestigious Sumners Scholarship

University of Central Oklahoma student Gareth Morton, a junior political science major from Tishomingo, Oklahoma, was recently named a 2022 Sumners Scholar for his academic excellence and civic engagement. 

Named after former Congressman Hatton W. Sumners, the Sumners Foundation Scholarship awards grants, scholarships and educational opportunities to institutions and students who demonstrate academic excellence, civic responsibility and leadership.            

Twenty students from 14 colleges and universities, including Morton, were selected as 2022 Sumners Scholars. Morton is one of only two students selected from Oklahoma colleges and universities.

Trustees of the Sumners Foundation conduct personal interviews of finalists and make the final decision based on students who are civically engaged and possess a capacity for leadership.

“We are very proud of Gareth and his accomplishments,” said Brett Sharp, Ph.D., professor of political science and public administration at Central.

“He has demonstrated a real commitment to public service, and we expect great things from him. This recognition says so much about the high quality of our undergraduate students.”

Morton’s accolades stretch beyond his recent recognition as a Sumners Scholar. Through UCO, he has served many leadership roles. Morton has served as the director of recruitment and talent acquisition for the TEDxUCO executive board and as a chairperson of alumni relations for Sigma Nu Fraternity. Outside of UCO, he interns for Oklahoma State Rep. Forrest Bennett. He also was recently awarded a Baccalaureate Scholarship by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

“I am incredibly humbled to be selected as a Sumners Scholar. As a student from rural Oklahoma, I could not have imagined I would be so lucky and talented enough to be given the unique opportunities the Sumners Foundation provides to students who desire a career in public service,” Morton said. 

“Not only do I gain a financial scholarship, but I also gain numerous networking and learning opportunities by attending Sumners Foundation conferences with organizations like the U.S. Association of Former Congress Members. I am incredibly excited for this opportunity and what it has in store for me on my collegiate and professional journey.”

The purpose of the Summers 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. Each Sumners Scholar receives funding for tuition, fees, on-campus room and board and books, as well as providing developmental opportunities.

For more information about the Sumners Foundation, visit sumnersfoundation.org.

For more information about Central and its commitment to transformative learning for all students, visit www.uco.edu.

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Editor's Note: Download art associated with this release at https://media.uco.edu/press/uploads/2022/06/gareth-morton.jpeg

Cutline: University of Central Oklahoma student Gareth Morton, pictured, a junior political science major from Tishomingo, Oklahoma, was recently named a 2022 Sumners Scholar for his academic excellence and civic engagement. The Sumners Foundation Scholarship, named after former Congressman Hatton W. Sumners, awards grants, scholarships and educational opportunities to institutions and students who demonstrate academic excellence, civic responsibility and leadership. Twenty students from 14 colleges and universities, including Morton, were selected as 2022 Sumners Scholars. Morton is one of only two students selected from Oklahoma colleges and universities.