From Thursday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct.5, the Walton International Scholarship Program celebrated its 40th anniversary along with homecoming at John Brown University. Students and alumni had the opportunity to connect alongside former and new faculty through special homecoming activities.

The program, which started in 1985, consists of a full-ride scholarship for a bachelor’s degree given to Central American and Mexican students at any of the three selected Arkansas universities, JBU, Harding University and University of the Ozarks.

Activities included “Meet your old faculty” at the Soderquist Business Center, hosted by former Professor John McCullough, where the Walton alumni had the chance to not only connect with former faculty, but also to chat amongst themselves. Since it was the first WISP activity, this was the first time that some of them saw each other after many years. There were a lot of hugs and laughs shared, as well as a number of printed pictures all over the tables for students and alumni to look through.

“Seeing the people I went to university with 30 years later felt almost like a joke, as if we were all wearing disguises of being older. Back then, as 'Waltons,' we were just starting out, full of dreams and ambitions. Now, our lives have taken different paths — careers, families and countless experiences — but deep down, we’re still connected by that shared beginning,” Class of ’96 WISP alumni Maribel Gruber said. “I’m eternally grateful to the Walton family for such a HUGE gift, one that can never truly be repaid because it was so much more than financial support. It gave me friendships, opportunities and most importantly, it led me to know my Savior, which is the greatest gift of all. No matter how much has changed, we will always be Waltons at heart, bound by those life-changing years. Thanks for giving us the opportunity of getting together again.”

Junior Walton student from Mexico, Samara Cuesta, volunteered at many of the events and enjoyed being able to see the alumni come back and engage with one another.

“I just can say that it’s been such a blessing helping in this activity. As a Walton, I enjoyed seeing the results of months of planning behind and how the past Waltons enjoyed every activity such as meeting their old faculty members or just seeing each other after decades of being apart with their friends,” Cuesta said.

On Thursday, McCullough and his wife, Judy McCullough, hosted a brownie tasting at their house, where all Waltons from all generations were invited. The Walton 40th Anniversary Celebration dinner took place on Thursday night, with an attendance of almost 120 people, including current Walton students, alumni, faculty, former faculty, Walton Family Foundation representatives and friends.

Three former Waltons were invited to share their experience at JBU and life after graduation as part of the dinner program. Among them, class of 1999’ journalism and intercultural studies major Karen Azucena shared her appreciation for the program and the scholarship's impact on her life.

“I attended homecoming this year after receiving an invitation from the WISP Director, Seth Sears. He reached out to WISP alumni earlier this year and told us about the 40th WISP anniversary celebration. I could not miss this opportunity to commemorate the origin of a program that changed my life! This impact was the main idea in a speech I gave during the 40th anniversary banquet,” Azucena said.

Many of the Walton alumni expressed their gratitude, not only for the Walton Family Foundation, but also for JBU and the opportunity they had to come back to their alma mater.

“Coming back ‘home’ this year was a real gift as I reunited with my two American roommates, my host family (the Goffs), JBU faculty and staff members and a number of WISP alumni that graduated between 1995 and 2002. They were my second family, and I treasure so many memories with them. My JBU experience has always put a smile on my face because of all the amazing friends I met there. I stay in touch with them regularly, and I have even visited them throughout these 25 years,” Azucena said.

The WISP Anniversary activities officially ended with the dinner celebration. However, many of the alumni stayed around campus and Siloam Springs and were even able to enjoy the Homegrown Festival.

Dr. Joe Walenciak, distinguished business professor and “honorary Walton Adviser” according to WISP students has been involved in this program since its beginning at JBU and continues to foster this family environment among Walton students. 

“It has been a joy and privilege to know so many of our Walton Scholars over these years, and I was really blessed to see so many return to campus for the Walton 40th Celebration.  There were so many wonderful friends and so little time to chat and catch up.  I am really proud of our graduates and how they are impacting the world through their work, their families and their faith. The Walton International Scholarship Program has changed many lives, including mine, and I hope and pray that it continues for many years to come,” he said. 

As commemorated, the program has successfully met its founder’s intentions of helping young minds and talents from Central America and Mexico by shaping and preparing them into a democratic and developed country as is the United States, and grounding them in Christian education. The WISP intends to continue with this goal and keep making a permanent impact on these students’ lives, which they like to describe with the phrase that has become an inside slogan for the program, “Once a Walton, Always a Walton.”

Photo Courtesy of Helen Colop