Sul Ross Scholarship Program Turns 40
Initiated by former students and named after Lawrence Sullivan Ross, former Texas Gov. and president of Texas A&M, the Sul Ross Scholarship Program eases the financial burdens of cadets as they journey toward becoming the leaders of tomorrow. Since the program’s birth in 1978, more than 1,000 Sul Ross Scholarships have become available to cadets. Sul Ross Scholarships decrease tuition and expenses by up to $4,800 over four years for recipients.
Riley Richardson '20 (left) and Eric Maxwell '19 (right) are Sul Ross Scholarship recipients.
How has being visually impaired impacted your college experience?
Learning how to do things, like how to march in the band, has been tough. As a freshman in the Corps, speaking up for myself was also challenging. Learning how to advocate for myself, however, put me on a trajectory of success. I was born with ocular albinism, meaning the retinas of my eyes are albino. I have 20/200 vision, so I can only see from 20 feet away what the average person can see from 200 feet away. But my eyesight hasn’t slowed me down. I’m the public relations sergeant for the Ross Volunteers, and within the band, I’m a drum section officer and chaplain. I’m also the platoon leader for my outfit. Everyone has their own issues to deal with; this is just mine.
Where will your future take you?
The civilian sector, hopefully in marketing or sales. I want to reach a place where I can financially support people who do mission work full-time. I’ve experienced mission trips with Aggie Cru, an organization on campus that equips students for missions both locally and abroad. Last summer, I went on an incredible trip to Asia, and the summer before, I went to Ozark Lakes in Branson, Missouri. I know funding these trips can be difficult, so I want to support those who are called to them. Just for this year, though, I’m enjoying finally wearing my senior boots around campus!
To support cadets by creating a Sul Ross Scholarship or other available scholarship options, please contact Tom Pool '96, senior director of development for the Corps of Cadets, below.