ADA, Okla. – East Central University President Wendell Godwin has announced the students selected for the 2026-27 President’s Leadership Class (PLC).

PLC is one of ECU’s premier freshmen scholarship programs, comprised of high-achieving students who demonstrated strong leadership skills in high school.

“We are excited to have another group of amazing students represent ECU this fall,”  said Godwin.

Each year, 20-25 students are selected for the program. PLC members engage with campus, community and state leaders, as well as volunteer at local schools and events. They also participate in exclusive leadership seminars, retreats and service projects and travel to major U.S. cities to expand their understanding of leadership and civic engagement. This year’s class trip will be a visit to Washington D.C.

“The students serve as ambassadors for the university and assist us by attending VIP events on campus and at the state level,” Godwin continued. “Their interests and majors are diverse and will represent the student body across campus. They will also each attend courses in personal finance, leadership and ethics as required by the program.”

ECU’s PLC is supported by title sponsor Vision Bank, whose partnership helps sustain and expand leadership development opportunities for ECU students. Through its investment in the program, Vision Bank supports initiatives that provide students with hands-on leadership experiences, mentorship opportunities and educational travel designed to prepare them for success in their careers and communities.

The selected students represent communities from across Oklahoma:

  • Aavri Noel (Fort Towson, Okla.) is a graduate of Rattan High School majoring in Nursing.
  • Allie Foster (Duncan, Okla.) is a graduate of Duncan High School majoring in Nursing.
  • Briley Brundidge (Ada, Okla.) is a graduate of Latta High School majoring in Kinesiology.
  • Cara Idlett (Purcell, Okla.) is a graduate of Purcell High School majoring in Nursing.
  • Charlotte Haws (Purcell, Okla.) is a graduate of Norman North High School majoring in Nursing.
  • Ezekiel Griffin (Ada, Okla.) is a graduate of Byng High School majoring in Kinesiology.
  • Hannabella Maddox (Ada, Okla.) is a graduate of Ada High School majoring in Biology Pre-Med.
  • Jada Faulkner (Tulsa, Okla.) is a graduate of Lincoln Christian School majoring in Forensic Psychology.
  • Jet Smith (Chandler, Okla.) is a graduate of North Rock Creek Public Schools majoring in Business Administration.
  • Kayle Watson (Tupelo, Okla.) is a graduate of Tupelo High School majoring in Psychology.
  • Kylie Dooney (McAlester, Okla.) is a graduate of Canadian Public School majoring in Business Entrepreneurship.
  • Liam McMahan (Stuart, Okla.) is a graduate of McAlester High School majoring in Biology Health Sciences.
  • Nicole Gehring (Morris, Okla.) is a graduate of Morris High School majoring in Early Childhood Education.
  • Paige Wainscott (Duncan, Okla.) is a graduate of Velma-Alma Public Schools majoring in Early Childhood Education.
  • Presley Newcomb (Noble, Okla.) is a graduate of Noble High School majoring in Early Childhood Education.
  • Reagan Dominic (Stuart, Okla.) is a graduate of Stuart High School majoring in Mass Communication.
  • Reese Moore (Sulphur, Okla.) is a graduate of Sulphur High School majoring in Biology.
  • Savannah Patrick (Wynnewood, Okla.) is a graduate of Sulphur High School majoring in Nursing.
  • Tejumojesu (Faith) Adegbule (Ada, Okla.) is a graduate of Latta High School majoring in Nursing.
  • Trevor Toycen (McAlester, Okla.) is a graduate of McAlester High School majoring in Computer Science.

Several students will also participate in ECU Athletics programs, including, baseball (Griffin), cheer (Moore, Patrick and Wainscott), golf (Haws and Smith), powerlifting (Adegbule), softball (Dominic), track (Dooney and McMahan) and volleyball (Faulkner).

“The elite students selected make up 1/3 of the students who applied,” Godwin concluded.

Students selected into PLC receive a total scholarship of $1,500 per semester, which includes a $750 tuition waiver and $750 housing waiver each semester. The scholarship will continue up to two full semesters with an option to be selected for two more semesters.

For more information on the ECU PLC program, visit ecok.edu/future-students/ECUPLC.php.

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