Austin, TX
Austin College Students Receive Endowed Sumners Scholarships
Sherman, Texas — Two Austin College students have been awarded Endowed Sumners Scholarships by The Sumners Foundation of Irving, Texas.
Maritza Maldonado 28 and Taylor Jones 28 each received $30,000 scholarships. Scholarships are awarded by the Foundation based on civic engagement, academic excellence, a capacity for leadership, and a desire to further our democracy.
Maldonado and Jones join Kat Stein 28 and Zara Shah 28 (previously named At-Large Sumners Scholars) as four of just 36 students nationally to receive a Sumners scholarship in 2026.
A sophomore majoring in Political Science and History, Maldonado is actively involved on campus as a member of the mock trial team, student assembly, and the Austin College Womens Soccer team. She plans to pursue a career as an immigration attorney.
This scholarship will support her academic journey while providing access to leadership programs and exclusive learning opportunities through the Sumners Foundation.
Jones is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Public Health with a minor in Data Science.
They are from Lewisville, Texas, are the Historian for Black Expressions, actively participates in the Pre-Law Society, and currently serves as a Sophomore Representative on Student Assembly. They also play bass clarinet and clarinet in Austin Colleges Wind Symphony and will study abroad in South Korea in the upcoming fall term. After graduation, they plan to pursue a masters degree in public policy and possibly a Juris Doctor to help positively influence policy-making with a data-informed background.
The Sumners Scholarship program has been at the core of the Sumners Foundations purpose since shortly after its inception in 1949. Our Scholars are selected from the very best students at colleges and universities after a rigorous interview process. To be selected as a Sumners Scholar is an honor that will remain with the Scholar throughout his or her lifetime, said Board Chairman Scott Higginbotham. Over the decades, Sumners Scholars have made significant contributions to their communities, their states, and America. Following in the footsteps of Congressman Hatton W. Sumners, the Foundation is pleased to support students striving to improve our political system, address societal challenges through crafting public policies based upon the fundamental principles of American democracy, educate all Americans about their civic obligations as citizens, and be active, productive members of our Republic.
Sumners Scholar alumni include such notables as U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, former Senior Deputy Attorney General of Oklahoma Dara Derryberry, Chairman of Matador Resources Joe Foran, former Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court Nathan Hecht, President of the University of Texas at Arlington Jennifer Cowley, and past Chancellor of the New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church Charles L. Moore.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 45 schools profiled in Loren Popes influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
MANOR, Texas — Multiple agencies are at the scene of a “major” crash on FM 973 in Manor.
Manor police reported the crash at around 4:48 a.m., saying that responders are on scene of a collision in the 11700 block of North FM 973 Road near Lagos Elementary School.
Police say the road is closed in both directions while officials work the scene.
ALSO | “It was a sick feeling” P. Terry’s CEO discusses closure of flagship store
Manor PD, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS, Travis County ESD 12, and Austin-Travis County EMS are also at the scene, according to police.
CBS Austin has reached out to officials from the responding agencies for more information.
This is a developing story.
AUSTIN, Texas – A 28-year-old Austin woman who was reported missing earlier this week has been located, according to the Austin Police Department.
What we know:
Police announced Saturday that Ghadah Alharbi has been found following a public appeal for information about her whereabouts.
Alharbi was last known to have contacted family members by phone around 8 p.m. on June 16. Her disappearance was described by investigators as out of character, prompting concern from both her family and the Austin Police Department.
Authorities said she had left her vehicle at her residence in Central Austin near Mueller and was known to use ride-share services for transportation.
Dig deeper:
The Austin Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit had requested the public’s assistance in locating Alharbi on Friday, citing concerns for her well-being.
In an update released Saturday, police confirmed Alharbi had been located but did not provide additional details about where she was found or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Police thanked the community and media for their assistance and cooperation.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by Austin police.
Following controversial comments from head coach Steve Sarkisian and recruiting battles with other contending teams, the Texas Longhorns have once again found themselves in the national spotlight ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Just like this time 365 days ago, the Longhorns are the favorites to win the SEC Championship by the time the postseason rolls around, as well as be contenders for the national championship — despite failing to gain a playoff berth in 2025.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Texas’ preseason hype centered around quarterback Arch Manning and his first year at the helm of the Longhorns’ offense. Despite predictions that Manning would win the Heisman and be the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Longhorns went on to a nine-win regular season with steady, ongoing improvements in Manning’s performance.
Now, the attention from national media seems due to the “all-in” season that the Longhorns are looking toward, with a huge roster turnover through the transfer portal suggesting that this is the make-or-break year for Texas — and Manning — to achieve any national championship hopes.
However, a “make-or-break” season isn’t necessarily what’s ahead for Texas in 2026.
Texas’ Championship Hopes Aren’t Necessarily Over After 2026
It’s fair to assume that the Longhorns are going all in for a national championship in 2026, given the emphasis on experienced transfer portal talent, coaching staff changes and even talk from some players about what the team’s goals are over the offseason.
But considering 2026 as the Longhorns’ last chance for a trophy in the immediate future isn’t as easily justifiable, especially when Texas may not be considering much of a rebuild after this season ends. Sarkisian himself didn’t deny that Manning may come back for another year with Texas in 2027, and many key playmakers on both offense and defense have several more years of eligibility left.
Especially looking at Texas’ incoming class of freshmen and history with the transfer portal, it’s likely that the Longhorns are setting themselves up for longevity more than immediate success. If Manning does decide to declare for the 2027 NFL Draft, incoming freshman quarterback Dia Bell will be an exciting prospect for Texas to bank on when looking for its next offensive leader.
It’s natural that the Longhorns should continue to generate national excitement, especially with the newest five-star commit to the 2027 class. Even so, Texas has a habit of bucking the trends and national predictions. The pressure was on in 2025 to win a national championship in Manning’s first year as a starter, and as more mock drafts continue to slate him as a first-rounder, that pressure has only heightened in what most onlookers see as his last year playing college football.
Whether the Longhorns will buckle under that pressure this go-around will be seen, starting with their home opener against Texas State on Sept. 5.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Sports4 minutes agoNneka Ogwumike’s buzzer-beater lifts Sparks on Liberty in 30th anniversary game
-
World14 minutes ago
Newsletter: A Commissioner's secret trip to Israel
-
News41 minutes ago
US strike on an alleged drug boat kills 2, leaves 6 survivors, in the eastern Pacific Ocean
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoL.A. heat advisory issued as temps expected to surge through midweek
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoPlymouth’s Channell-Watkins joins local hockey players on PWHL Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoSan Francisco Resident’s Tour of Surveillance Infrastructure Shows System ‘Greater Than Sum of Its Parts’ | KQED
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoArgentina fans gather in Dallas for ‘Banderazo Argentino’ ahead of World Cup match
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoInvestigation underway in Miami Gardens after hit-and-run leaves a man in critical condition – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale
