We are proud to introduce our exceptional Phillips University Legacy Scholars—a diverse group of talented undergraduate students who embody the spirit of leadership, scholarship, and service. These scholars are pursuing a liberal arts education at colleges and universities historically related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and are selected based on their academic achievements, their leadership potential, and their passion for transforming their campuses and communities for the better.

Click on each scholar’s photograph to learn more.

Meet The Scholars

Olivia Hardin-Nieri

4th Year Scholar

Liv is in her senior year at Eureka College pursuing a major in communications and media studies with a minor in philosophy and religion. Liv is a part of the Disciples Leadership Program through Eureka College, learning how to be spiritually present and community-minded in her educational journey. She also serves as the Student Body […]

College/University: Eureka College
Dorothy and Sheldon Elliott Endowed Scholar

Hometown: Ashville, North Carolina

Emily James

4th Year Scholar

Emily is a senior at Texas Christian University (TCU) fall of 2025, where her plan is to continue pursuing a major in Modern Dance, with a minor in Social Work. Before college, Emily was born in China and was adopted at the age of three, where she then moved to the United States to go […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
Becky and Richard Books Endowed Scholar

Hometown: San Angelo, Texas

Sam Snider

4th Year Scholar

Sam just completed his junior year at Texas Christian University, in pursuit of his bachelor’sdegree in both political science and philosophy. Sam grew up in Springfield, Missouri andgraduated from Kickapoo High School where he participated in National Honor Society, FutureBusiness Leaders of America, as well as the football and baseball teams. At TCU, Sam isinvolved […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
The Gentle Family Endowed Scholar

Hometown: Springfield, Missouri

Malachi Gnade

3rd Year Scholar

Malachi is currently entering his third year of the Foundation’s Legacy Scholar Undergraduate program, and he will be a senior at Culver-Stockton College in the Fall of 2025. Here, Malachi is continuing to pursue a major in mathematics education and minors in computer/data science and religion/philosophy. He attended St. Dominic High School in O’Fallon, MO […]

College/University: Culver-Stockon College
Varsity Club Endowed Scholar

Hometown: Monroe, Missouri

Skyler Cloyd

3rd Year Scholar

Skyler, from Friendswood, Texas, is a senior pursuing a degree in Music Theory/Composition at Texas Christian University. A talented pianist and percussionist, he has been deeply involved in choir, theater, and marching band. At TCU, Skyler continues to grow as a musician, currently studying piano and organ and actively performing in collaborative settings. His compositions […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
Hometown: Webster, Texas

Barry K. Robinson Endowed Scholar

Lindsey Maisberger

3rd Year Scholar

Lindsey Maisberger is a junior at Texas Christian University, where she is majoring in Early Childhood through Sixth Grade Education in the College of Education. A proud graduate of Independence High School in Frisco, Texas, Lindsey was active in student leadership and community-focused programs throughout her high school career. At TCU, Lindsey continues to build […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
Hometown: McKinney, Texas

Gene Challenner Honorary Scholar

Lillie Nielsen

3rd Year Scholar

Lillie just finished her third year at Transylvania University, where she is a third generation legacy. She is currently double majoring in Health and Exercise Science and Psychology. She also is a part of fraternity and sorority life, in Chi Omega, where she’s held several leadership roles such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion director, as […]

College/University: Transylvania University
Hometown: Nicholasville, Kentucky

The Inaugural Michael and Suanne Yarbrough Endowed Scholar

Joshua Oloriagbe

3rd Year Scholar

Oshukunofa Joshua Oloriegbe is currently a junior at Jarvis Christian University, where he pursues a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Cybersecurity. As a Presidential Scholar maintaining a 4.0 GPA, he has completed coursework in network security, information systems, and leadership studies while gaining practical experience in both technical and organizational roles. During […]

Jarvis Christian University
Connie Speer Cravens Honorary Scholar

Libby Skaggs

3rd Year Scholar

Libby Skaggs, originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduated from Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas. Libby is a junior attending Culver-Stockton College, double-majoring in political science and journalism with a minor in English, aiming to use her passions to improve her community. She holds leadership positions across campus including president of Gay-Straight Alliance, Color Guard Captain, […]

College/University: Culver-Stockon College
Hometown: Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hope Tuttle

3rd Year Scholar

Hope is a senior at Drury University, pursuing a dual major in criminology and psychology. With a passion for understanding human behavior, she plans on enrolling in graduate school to earn a master’s degree in criminology. Growing up in the small town of Sapulpa, Oklahoma – where she attended high school – she gained a strong […]

College/University: Drury University
Hometown: Bristow, Oklahoma

Aly Barnes

2nd Year Scholar

Aly is a rising junior at Chapman University pursuing a degree in Anthropology with a double minor in both Spanish and Sociology. Born in South Africa and raised in South Africa and Mozambique, Aly moved to Indiana to attend school, graduating in 2023 with an IB diploma. While there, she was active in her Spanish […]

College/University: Chapman University
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Victoria Carroll

2nd Year Scholar

Victoria is a sophomore at Texas Christian University, where she is pursuing a major in finance with a minor in energy business. A graduate of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston, Texas, Victoria served as Student Body President during her senior year. At TCU, Victoria continues to demonstrate her leadership and dedication to […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
Hometown: Houston, Texas

Harry Dalstra

2nd Year Scholar

Harry will be an undergraduate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in the fall of 2024 and is looking forward to double majoring in International Relations and Law, Politics, and Society, with a minor in Spanish. Harry grew up in El Paso, Texas, and moved to Fort Madison, Iowa, where, in June, he will […]

College/University: Drake University
Hometown: Fort Madison, Iowa

Gloria Gonzalez

2nd Year Scholar

Gloria is a sophomore at Texas Christian University (TCU), pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Gloria was born in Managua, Nicaragua, and was raised there her whole life until she moved to Fort Worth, Texas to pursue an undergraduate degree. Gloria graduated from the American Nicaraguan School, where she completed primary and secondary school. There, […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
Hometown: Managua, Nicaragua

Don and Barbara Angle Honorary Scholar

Sam Hatfield

2nd Year Scholar

Sam is a junior at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky with a double major in Digital Arts & Media and Religion. At Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky, he discovered a passion for technical theatre and was active in the program until his graduation in 2023. Today he works as a crew member for the […]

College/University: Transylvania University
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

Kalea Seaton

2nd Year Scholar

Kalea is a sophomore attending Chapman University, where she majors in Peace and Justice Studies, with an accompanying minor in Religious Studies. Before moving across the country for college, Kalea graduated from Iowa City High School in Iowa City, Iowa. There, she was captain of her high school’s swim team, principal first chair violist in […]

College/University: Chapman University
Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa

Marissa Sipe

2nd Year Scholar

Marissa is a first-generation undergraduate student attending Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri where she is pursuing a degree in Forensic Science with an emphasis in Biology, a minor in Criminal Justice, and a Crime Scene Investigations Certificate. Marissa is the youngest of seven children and graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Charles High School. There, she was the […]

College/University: Columbia College
Hometown: St. Charles, Missouri

Tatum Wilson

2nd Year Scholar

Tatum Wilson is currently a sophomore at Texas Christian University where she’s pursuing a degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Tatum graduated from James Bowie High School in Austin, Texas. During high school, she was a member of the varsity cheer team, participated in the culinary and baking program, and was inducted into the National Honor Society. […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
Hometown: Austin, Texas

John Weeks

1st Year Scholar

John will be a first-year marketing student at Texas Christian University. John was born in Georgia and has spent most of his life in Mechanicsville, Virginia. He is graduating in May from Atlee High School. While in high school, John has been an active member of DECA, the tennis team, the National Honor Society, the […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
Hometown: Mechanicsville, Virginia

Stella Trullinger

1st Year Scholar

Stella is finishing her senior year of high school at Lutheran High School of Indianapolis and looking forward to her freshman year at Bethany College as a Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine student. Stella grew up in Iowa and Indiana. She has played softball since she was four years old, which has included school teams and 10 years […]

College/University: Bethany College
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Daniel Mitchell

1st Year Scholar

Daniel is an incoming freshman at Texas Christian University, where he will pursue a double major in Political Science and Religion as a Chancellor Scholar. A lifelong resident of Fort Collins, Colorado, Daniel is graduating from Rocky Mountain High School in May. While in high school, Daniel served on Student Council as Co-Student Body President […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
Hometown: Fort Collins, Colorado

Megan Riddle

1st Year Scholar

Megan is an undergraduate at Texas Christian University, where she is majoring in mathematics and will be a part of the Horned Frog Marching Band. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, she is excited to continue her education in a city that already feels like home. Megan graduated from Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, where she […]

College/University: Texas Christian University
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas

PU Heritage Honorary Scholar

Henry Frederick-Grey

1st Year Scholar

Henry Frederick-Gray attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Massachusetts and is now a rising sophomore at Chapman University. He is pursuing a degree in Writing for Film and Television at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. At Chapman, Henry serves as the Retreat Chair on the Disciples Leadership Board for the Disciples on Campus group. […]

College/University: Chapman University
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Hayden Skaggs

Graduate Scholar

Hayden, a senior at Eureka College, is pursuing double majors in sociology/psychology and philosophy/religion, with a minor in political science. A Mansfield High School graduate, he was active in cross country and marching band. At Eureka, Hayden serves as Student Body Vice President, secretary of Eureka’s Alliance, runs cross country, and works as a youth […]

School: University of Chicago
Hometown: Jeffersonville, Indiana

Connie Miroslaw

Graduate Scholar

Connie Miroslaw is a dedicated third-year student at Claremont School of Theology, pursuing her Master of Divinity Degree. Hailing from Phoenix, AZ, she thrives in a diverse and multicultural atmosphere. Guided by her faith journey, she discovered her “new” calling in an inclusive, progressive Christian church, where she leads as the Music Ministry leader. This […]

Graduate Institution: Claremont School of Theology
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

MariaIsabelle Garcia

Graduate Scholar

From Grand Rapids to Southern California, MariaIsabelle’s journey has been one of growth, learning, and passion. After spending six years in Southern California earning a bachelor’s degree at Chapman University and working at various nonprofits, she discovered a passion for advocacy and community work. This past year, MariaIsabelle worked at Groundswell’s Bridges program as a […]

Graduate Institution: University of Chicago
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Ruth Berta

Graduate Scholar

Ruth Berta is a Master’s of Divinity student at Phillips Theological Seminary with plans to be ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Ruth holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Messiah University (formerly Messiah College) and a Master’s in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Ruth lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with her spouse […]

School: Phillips Theological Seminary
Hometown: Charlottesville, Virginia

Anna Whittle

Graduate Scholar

Anna Whittle is an incoming first-year Master of Divinity student at Vanderbilt Divinity School and the Disciples Divinity House. She graduated summa cum laude from Hope College in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Women’s & Gender Studies. A fifth-generation member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Anna is under […]

School: Vanderbilt University
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

Austin Luther

1st Year Scholar

Austin is a current undergraduate college student and rising sophomore at the University of Lynchburg. Before attending the University of Lynchburg, he graduated from Onward Christian Academy in Rustburg, VA. He is currently majoring in Biology (Biomedical Emphasis), Chemistry, and Mathematics. He is active in the Bonner Leadership Program, Theoria Philosophy, Pre-Health, and The National […]

College/University: University of Lynchburg
Hometown: Rustburg, VA

Jessica Griffith

Graduate Scholar

Jessica Griffith is a Master of Divinity student at Lexington Theological Seminary, where she is pursuing a call to ministry rooted in radical inclusion, justice, and belonging. She graduated from St. Andrews University in 2015 with a degree in Social Sciences with a concentration in Politics. After college, Jessica returned to her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, […]

School: Lexington Theological Seminary
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Grace Dearhamer

Graduate Scholar

Grace, a senior at Eureka College, studies philosophy/religion, psychology/sociology, and criminal justice. Graduating from Broken Arrow High School, she was active in various extracurriculars. At Eureka, she holds leadership roles in student organizations, including president of the class of 2024 and Disciples on Campus. Grace’s passion lies in youth ministry, social work, religious hospitality, and […]

College/University: Eureka College
Hometown: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Meet the Scholars

Meet The Scholars