The Linwood Sexton Scholarship at Wichita State University for 2008-09 will go to Adrian Love, a graduate of Wichita High School East. The four-year Sexton Scholarship provides full tuition, books, fees and on-campus housing.

Love had a special presence at East, demonstrating maturity and leadership qualities to those around him. Teachers and students were drawn to his intellectual ability and eclectic talents, according to counselor Shari Weatherson.

“I believe Adrian is deserving of this award based upon his inclination to learn, his athletic ability and his financial need,” Weatherson said. “Adrian’s character is as solid as any young man I have ever encountered.”

Love carried a 3.72 grade point average, was active in his community and in student organizations and excelled in sports. His junior year he placed seventh in the 400-meter race at the Kansas State High School Track Meet and finished first on East’s team at the first cross-country meet of the year in fall 2007.

Love has served as a member of an advisory group to WSU for two years. He has also been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Asian Club at East High, while responsibly maintaining a part-time job. He plans to pursue a degree in computer engineering.

The Linwood Sexton Scholarship is a general scholarship with preference for those majoring in business or education. Sexton, a WSU football legend, is a member of the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame and Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Jim Mann, a 1956 WSU graduate and CEO of SunGard Data Systems Inc., is responsible for starting the scholarship. He says he will never forget the days in the 1940s when his father, Raymond, took him to the Shocker football games. Both Manns were big fans of Sexton, who wore jersey No. 66 and over the years became friends with him.

When the scholarship was announced in October 2000, Mann gave a five-figure lead gift in the effort. Joining him were Dan Carney and Larry Jones, both of the class of 1953, and Fran Jabara, all Sexton admirers, too.

Incoming freshman applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. All students are eligible to apply, but preference is given to minority students.

The scholarship is automatically renewed as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. The application review committee consists of scholarship coordinators from the W. Frank Barton School of Business and the College of Education; Christine Schneikart-Luebbe, dean of enrollment services; and Sheelu Surender, associate director of scholarships, Office of Financial Aid; and Sexton.