The Waynesburg University Stover Scholars had the opportunity to meet with several prominent figures as well as Stover Scholar alumni during their annual spring trip to Washington, D.C., Thursday, March 20, and Friday, March 21, 2025.
This year’s trip included a meeting with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. For many students, having the ability to meet and converse with Justice Alito was one of the most notable moments of the trip.
Meeting with Supreme Court Justice Alito was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
“Meeting with Supreme Court Justice Alito was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Emily Stutzman, a senior political science major.
“Although there was an array of extraordinary moments during the Stover Scholar D.C. trip, my favorite moment was getting the opportunity to meet Supreme Court Justice Alito,” Kristie Faber, a senior business management major noted. “Justice Alito, though brilliant, was down-to-earth and kind to all of the Stover Scholars.”
Sophomore Olivia Toth, a middle-level education (social studies) major, found inspiration not only in meeting Justice Alito but also in experiencing the history and significance of the nation’s capital firsthand.
"Meeting Justice Alito was so inspiring, and it is a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life,” she shared. “The Capitol tour was also so special, especially getting to be on the house floor. I cannot wait to share these experiences with my students in the future when they are learning about certain parts of government."
The two-day trip granted students a platform to use the knowledge they have gained within the Stover Scholarship Program to confidently discuss a variety of caselaw and legal topics with leaders, such as Justice Alito, within the District.
“The Stover Program trip to Washington, D.C., is an amazing experience that allows scholars to meet with distinguished and honorable professionals in many different unique fields,” senior political science major Alexander Canestraro said. “Whether it be in the political, legal or economic realm, the speakers all provide valuable information in their respective fields.”
During the first day, students visited the Swiss Embassy, where they met with Marcellus Rolle, Head of Communications and Public Diplomacy for the Embassy of Switzerland in the United States of America.
Then, they met with Legislative Assistant for Representative Byron Donalds of Florida’s 19th Congressional District Luke Diel, a Stover Scholar alumnus and former Student Senate president. During their visit with Diel, students had the opportunity to tour several areas of the U.S. Capitol Building, including the floor of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the House’s Balcony, which overlooks the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Diel also gave a briefing on current politics and what’s happening in Congress at the moment.
Following their visit with Diel, students took part in a private meeting with Judge Neomi J. Rao, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
The day concluded with a dinner at the Metropolitan Club with U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judges Catherine C. Davis and Victor J. Wolski, friends from the area and Stover Scholar alumni currently employed in D.C., including Diel (U.S. House of Representatives), Holly Ludvigsen (District of Columbia Superior Court), Nick Cordova (Boyden Gray PLLC) and Elliott Kimball (Advancing American Freedom think tank.)
Throughout the second day, in addition to their meeting with Justice Alito, students met with Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Congressional Budget Office Director, American Action Forum President and former Syracuse University Economics professor; and Jennifer Warren, Lockheed-Martin Vice President for Regulatory Affairs & Public Policy.
The Waynesburg Stover Scholarship provides scholars unparalleled opportunities to engage with influential leaders and institutions shaping our society. Our recent trip to Washington, D.C., was a testament to this, as we had the privilege of meeting a Supreme Court justice, engaging with esteemed policymakers and touring the Swiss Embassy."
“This year’s Stover Scholar trip to Washington, D.C., encompassed legal discussions with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Alito, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Judge Rao and U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judges Davis and Wolski; economic and political analysis from former Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin; and strategic and regulatory analysis from Lockheed Martin Vice President Jennifer Warren. Each of these opportunities connected classroom discussions with critical decision makers,” said Dr. Lawrence M. Stratton, Director of the Stover Center and Professor of Ethics and Constitutional Law.
And according to several Stover Scholars, the privilege to connect with each one of these distinguished leaders—and many more—during their time at Waynesburg University is unmatched by competing institutions.
“The Waynesburg Stover Scholarship provides scholars unparalleled opportunities to engage with influential leaders and institutions shaping our society. Our recent trip to Washington, D.C., was a testament to this, as we had the privilege of meeting a Supreme Court justice, engaging with esteemed policymakers and touring the Swiss Embassy,” shared Caroline Poole, a senior early childhood education major. “These experiences not only broadened our understanding of governance and diplomacy but also reinforced the importance of ethical leadership. Beyond these interactions, the connections formed within our scholarship are invaluable, fostering a network of driven individuals committed to making a meaningful impact.”
Echoing Poole, senior criminal justice administration major Emily Barker shared, “As always, the annual trip to Washington, D.C., was a phenomenal experience and greatly contributed to my education. We were blessed to have discussions regarding the Constitution, economics, foreign policy issues and law. We had the privilege of meeting many notable and brilliant individuals including Justice Samuel Alito, Judge Neomi Rao, economist Douglas Holtz-Eakin and many others. This experience allowed me to gain a wealth of knowledge and encounter many facets of constitutional studies and moral leadership.”
Students within the Stover Scholarship Program meet approximately a dozen leaders annually on trips such as this or through lectures held on campus, further preparing them as leaders in their chosen fields, or for future economic, legal and political internships and careers.
Senior political science major Alex Solomon said, “The Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership offers experiences and opportunities that make most others jealous. The opportunities to meet with federal judges, both Appellate and from the Supreme Court, to be on the floor of the House of Representatives for an hour and to be on the Speaker of the House’s balcony overlooking the capital are truly second to none.”
Waynesburg University Stover Scholars who attended this year’s Washington, D.C., trip include:
- Rachel Arhin, sophomore political science major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Emily Barker, senior criminal justice administration major from Mount Sterling, Ohio
- Alexander Canestraro, senior political science major from Wheeling, West Virginia
- Joshua DeFries, senior computer science major from East Aurora, New York
- Theresa Eggleston, freshman nursing major from Jefferson, Pennsylvania
- Kristie Faber, senior business management major from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
- Tyler Gordon, junior finance major from Strongsville, Ohio
- Sydney Kratsas, sophomore forensic accounting major from Harmony, Pennsylvania
- Makai’o Nihipali-Sanchez, freshman forensic accounting major from Waianae, Hawaii
- Jason Polgar, senior political science major from Follansbee, West Virginia
- Caroline Poole, senior early childhood education major from Greencastle, Pennsylvania
- Gracie Rape, sophomore psychology major from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
- Anna Robertson, December 2024 psychology graduate from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
- John Scott, freshman digital design major from Ellsworth, Pennsylvania
- Emma Shashura, sophomore accounting major from Fredericktown, Pennsylvania
- Alex Solomon, senior political science major from Morgantown, West Virginia
- Emily Stutzman, senior political science major from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
- Olivia Toth, sophomore middle-level education (social studies) major from Carmichaels, Pennsylvania
- Kimberly Trump, senior psychology major from Fairchance, Pennsylvania
The Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership Scholarship
The Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership Scholarship recognizes students with a passionate interest in the U.S. Constitution and its application in public life today. Several incoming freshmen of academic ability are chosen each year. To learn more about this prestigious scholarship opportunity and its application requirements, click the link below.
