Twelve students from the Class of 2026 were selected to travel to Washington, D.C. for an intensive eight-day experiential course of study on national leadership, ethics, honor, and service.
This year's Abshire group is pictured at the Pentagon with Major Brandon Eaves ’10, Staff Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, USAF; and Andrew Winternitz '95, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Principal Director for East Asia Policy.
Twelve students from the Class of 2026 were selected to travel to Washington, D.C. in June for an intensive eight-day experiential course of study on national leadership, ethics, honor, and service.
As participants in the David M. Abshire Civic Leadership Trip, they were engaged in meaningful leadership discussions and experiential learning while discovering more about careers of Baylor alumni in the area. Highlights included visiting the Pentagon, the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, the U.S. Department of Justice, and attending an alumni event before enjoying a Nationals baseball game.
The trip was created in partnership with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and the late Dr. Abshire ’44, who served as president and CEO of that organization. Since its inaugural trip in 2009, Abshire Scholars have traveled to the nation's capital, living together for a week and participating in a variety of activities and leadership opportunities while also enjoying tours of government buildings and national landmarks.
Alumni professionals participating in this year's program were Ridley Browder ’20, Brandon Eaves ’10, Isabelle Drayer ’18, Del Gilmore ’88, Sam Lupas ’14, Bharet Malhotra ’93, Ali Nettles ’17, Brian Northcutt ’91, Ryan Moore ’98, Mary Elizabeth Clements McKenney ’16, Sarah Paden ’04, Nate Rawlings ’00, and Andrew Winternitz ’95.
This year's Class of 2026 Abshire Trip students are (front row, left to right) Sam Taveau, Peighton Skeate, Kate Henry, Milly Rainero, and Brandon Oakes, (middle row) Avery Glover, John Potter, Rigdon King-Anderson, Sydney Douglas, Virginia Foster, and Anna Stoddard, (back row) William Hubbard, Wesley Chi, James McCorkle, Yulissa Gerard, and Pippa Hill.
The Washington, D.C. alumni event was held at Present Company Public House and brought together local alumni along with students from the Abshire Trip. Linc Fuge ’01, the restaurant’s lead chef and partner, hosted the gathering. Brian Northcutt ’91, a U.S. Secret Service member, delivered remarks to the group.