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

Skyler Cloyd

2nd Year Scholar

Skyler, hailing from Friendswood, Texas, is pursuing a Music Theory/Composition degree at Texas Christian University. A skilled pianist and percussionist, he actively engages in choir, theater, and marching band. Skyler’s senior year featured a remarkable piano recital showcasing his compositions, reflecting his passion for evoking emotions through music. Committed to giving back, he participates in […]

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

Gabe Davidson

Scholar Alum '24

Gabe, a senior at Chapman University, studies computer science with a minor in game development. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he graduated from Marin Academy. During a gap year, he obtained EMT and WFR licenses. At Chapman, he co-founded a Kappa Sigma fraternity chapter, served as Executive Secretary, and actively participates in DOC […]

Chapman University
Hometown: San Anselmo, CA

Maggie Nguyen

4th Year Scholar

Maggie Nguyen, a senior at Texas Christian University, where she’s pursuing her passion for Early Childhood Education. Engaged in Impact of Words and Kappa Delta Pi, she volunteers at Kinderfrogs, leads an acapella group, and serves as Provisional Member Director for Phi Mu. Maggie aims to foster a supportive community and pursue a career in […]

School: Texas Christian University
Don and Barbara Angle Honorary Scholar

Hometown: Greenwood, Indiana

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

Paris Donohoe

3rd Year Scholar

Paris, a senior in the honors program at Chapman University, is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Broadcast Journalism and Documentary Film, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Peace Studies. Dedicated to community service, she engaged in debate, dance, and outreach activities in high school. At Chapman, Paris is active in political clubs, […]

College/University: Chapman University
Hometown: Lake Oswego, Oregon

Malachi Gnade

2nd Year Scholar

Malachi, a junior at Culver-Stockton College, is majoring in mathematics education with minors in computer/data science and religion/philosophy. Active in high school clubs and athletics, he achieved notable successes in volleyball and mock trial competitions. Committed to a Christ-centered life, Malachi continues his involvement in church activities and community service, aspiring to use math and […]

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

Hometown: Monroe, Missouri

Olivia Hardin-Nieri

3rd Year Scholar

Olivia, a junior at Eureka College, is exploring various academic interests with a major in Community Engagement. She’s particularly passionate about film photography and ultimate Frisbee, actively participating in the ultimate Frisbee club. As the Social Events and Outreach chair for Disciples On Campus, Olivia fosters community and promotes inclusive spirituality. In her free time, […]

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

Hometown: Ashville, North Carolina

Austin Hopkins

Scholar Alum '24

Austin, a senior at Eureka College, majors in environmental science and business administration, with a biology minor. As a top student and valedictorian at high school, he excelled in academics and sports, leading his teams as captain. Now, playing Division III football at Eureka, Austin serves as Sustainability Senator, executive officer on the Student Athlete […]

College/University: Eureka College
Hometown: Arcola, Illinois

Emily James

3rd Year Scholar

Emily, a junior at Texas Christian University, plans to major in Modern Dance and Psychology with a minor in Studio Art. Originally from China, she grew up in Abilene, Texas, graduating from Central High School in San Angelo. Actively involved in dance for 15 years, Emily facilitated classes and prepared for shows at her home […]

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

Hometown: San Angelo, Texas

Lindsey Maisberger

2nd Year Scholar

Lindsey, a sophomore at Texas Christian University, plans to major in Elementary Education and minor in Child Development. Hailing from McKinney, Texas, she graduated from Frisco Independence High School, where she excelled in theater, choir, Future Farmers of America, National Honors Society, and served as an officer on the award-winning drill team. Actively involved in […]

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

Lillie Nielsen

2nd Year Scholar

Lillie, a sophomore at Transylvania University, is majoring in Psychology and Health & Exercise Science. Raised in a small town near Lexington, Kentucky, she will graduate from West Jessamine High School in May. Actively engaged in Student Y as treasurer and social media chair, she attended KUNA and KYA conferences. She led communications and marketing […]

College/University: Transylvania University
Hometown: Nicholasville, Kentucky

Joshua Oloriagbe

2nd Year Scholar

Joshua, an junior business administration major with a focus on Cybersecurity studying at Jarvis Christian University, hails from Nigeria and is deeply engaged on campus. He’s an Honors scholar and actively participates in Enactus, the Student Ministry Association, Choir, Band, and Student Government Association. With a passion for impacting lives, Joshua aims to specialize in […]

Jarvis Christian University
Connie Speer Cravens Honorary Scholar

Sarah Sandoval

Scholar Alum '24

Sarah, a senior at Chapman University, is pursuing Integrated Educational Studies with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction, along with minors in English, Psychology, and Religious Studies. Accepted into an accelerated Master’s program, she’s obtaining her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and teaching credentials concurrently. Actively involved on campus, she serves as an orientation leader, leads a Bible […]

Chapman University

Lucy Preston

Scholar Alum '24

Volunteer Leadership Project: La Foret Garden Project, A Project with La Foret Conference and Retreat Center

College/University: Chapman University
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado

Libby Skaggs

2nd Year Scholar

Libby Skaggs, originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduated from Mansfield High School where she was in color guard, theatre, Gay-Straight Alliance, and student council, where she held leadership roles. She serves as a junior deacon at her church and president of the church youth group. Libby is attending Culver-Stockton College, double-majoring in political science and journalism, […]

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

Hayden Skaggs

4th Year 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 […]

College/University: Eureka College
Barry K. Robinson Endowed Scholar

Hometown: Jeffersonville, Indiana

Sam Snider

3rd Year Scholar

Sam, a junior at Texas Christian University, hails from Springfield, Missouri, and graduated from Kickapoo High School. Active in the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America, he captained the football team. At TCU, Sam participates in various organizations, including Disciples on Campus, Impact of Words mental health organization, and Special Olympics club. […]

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

Hometown: Springfield, Missouri

Hope Tuttle

2nd Year Scholar

Hope is pursuing double majors in criminology and psychology at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. She began her college career at William Woods University, but her path was changed when she transferred to Drury spring semester of her sophomore year. Graduating as Valedictorian from Sapulpa High School, Hope’s extracurricular background consists of various varsity sports […]

College/University: Drury University
Hometown: Bristow, Oklahoma

Ruthie Weeks

4th Year Scholar

Ruthie, a senior at Chapman University, majors in Broadcast Journalism and Documentary while minoring in Music Business. From Georgia to Virginia, her upbringing fostered deep involvement in church and community activities. In high school, she discovered a passion for journalism as Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper and TV99 intern. At Chapman, she works at the Fish […]

Chapman University
PU Heritage Scholar

Hometown: Mechanicsville, VA

Michaela White

4th Year Scholar

Michaela, a senior at the University of Lynchburg, is studying English and History with a minor in Creative Writing. Originally from Madison Heights, Virginia, she graduated from Amherst County High School and the Central Virginia Governor’s School for Science and Technology. Michaela serves as a Residential Assistant and an assistant in the Sydnor Performance Hall. […]

College/University: University of Lynchburg
Gene Challenner Honorary Scholar

Hometown: Madison Heights, Virginia

Olivia Zinn

Scholar Alum '24

Olivia, a senior at Bethany College (W.Va.), is pursuing dual degrees in communications and Spanish. Hailing from Philippi, West Virginia, she was actively involved in the yearbook, theater, and Student Council at Philip Barbour High School. At Bethany, Olivia is a sister of Phi Mu Fraternity and a member of the honors program, Spanish Club, […]

Bethany College

Aanika Gillett

Graduate Scholar

Aanika Gillett – Aanika has lived in Oklahoma City almost her entire life. She graduated from Harding Fine Arts High School, where she developed a love for photography. Following High School, Aanika attended Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO, a Disciples-affiliated college. While majoring in Religion and Philosophy at Culver-Strockton, Aanika joined the Sigma Kappa Sorority […]

Phillips Theological Seminary

Aly Barnes

1st Year Scholar

Aly is a rising sophomore at Chapman University pursuing a degree in sociology with a double minor in both Spanish and Anthropology. 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

1st Year Scholar

Victoria is from Houston, Texas, where she will graduate from Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. She is an incoming freshman at Texas Christian University, where she will study finance and accounting and plans to minor in Spanish. Victoria was the student body president at Duchesne Academy, head captain of her cheerleading team, a National […]

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

Harry Dalstra

1st 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

1st Year Scholar

Gloria is an undergraduate at Texas Christian University, pursuing a degree in International Economics with a minor in Journalism. Gloria was born in Managua, Nicaragua, and has lived there all her life. This May, she will be graduating from the American Nicaraguan School, where she completed primary and secondary school. There, she was a member […]

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

Sam Hatfield

1st Year Scholar

Sam is a student 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

1st Year Scholar

Kalea is a graduating senior from Iowa City High School, and will attend Chapman University this Fall. She plans to major in Peace Studies, with an accompanying minor in Religious Studies. As captain of her high school’s swim team and principal first chair violist in the orchestra, Kalea strives for excellence and leadership within her […]

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

Marissa Sipe

1st Year Scholar

Marissa is a first-generation undergraduate student attending Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. 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 7 children and graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Charles High School. There, she […]

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

Tatum Wilson

1st Year Scholar

Tatum was born and raised in Austin, Texas, where she attends James Bowie High School and will be attending Texas Christian University in the fall. She plans to double major in Speech Pathology and Education and was accepted to TCU’s John V. Roach Honors College. Tatum has been on the Bowie cheer team for the […]

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

Connie Miroslaw

Graduate Scholar

Connie Miroslaw is a dedicated second-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

Marisa Ilnitzki

Graduate Scholar

Marissa Ilnitzki is a dual-degree graduate student at the University of Chicago pursuing both a Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work degree. Marissa is a Disciples Divinity House scholar with the named Martin Family Scholarship. Upon completion of her first Clinical Pastoral Education unit at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in downtown Chicago, Marissa found […]

Graduate Institution: University of Chicago
Hometown:

Meet the Scholars

Meet The Scholars