Bud Sexson Memorial Scholarship

The Bartlesville Community Foundation is humbled to help honor the legacy of James (Bud) Sexson with the establishment of the Bud Sexson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

From the moment he entered the world, Bud was the calm after the storm. He was born on August 1, 1955, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma after his mother survived an encounter with a tornado. Time slowed, the winds settled, and he arrived weighing just 2 pounds, 9 ounces, three months premature. Against all odds, he survived, earning the nickname the “Sapulpa Miracle Baby.”

Like many children of the 1960s, his childhood was filled with sandlot baseball games, Friday night lights, and jam sessions on the back of a pickup truck. He had a special and close relationship with his father, who coached him in baseball and taught him the joy of fishing. Along with baseball, Buddy also played football in high school. It was in his sophomore year that Buddy suffered a devastating loss of his father. His world was turned upside down.

Buddy went on to graduate high school and reported to an electrical engineering school in Kansas City. As soon as he got there, someone stole all his money and he had to return back home. This did not stop his quest for a higher education as Bud went on to attend Oklahoma State University and graduated with an Industrial Arts degree. He taught and coached for several years before getting his masters degree in school administration. This is where Mr. Sexson found his real love for helping students gain an education. This love of education continues on with this memorial scholarship.

Award Details:

$1,000 payable to the trade or tech school, community college or university in the fall of the student’s first semester.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Student in good standing, qualifying for graduation from Bartlesville High School

  • Unweighted high school GPA of 2.5 or higher

  • Planning to attend a trade or tech school, community college or university

  • Well-written answers explaining:
    1. how you have overcome adversity or obstacles in your life
    2. a few lessons you learned about this experience
    3. someone you looked up to or admired in your life and how this person influenced you
    4. your future plans after graduation from trade school/tech school/college/university

Required Addendums:

  • Two letters of recommendation – One from a school faculty member and one from any unrelated individual
  • First page(s) of FAFSA Submission Summary, up to and including the Student Aid Index number. Refer to FAQs for more information.
  • Official Bartlesville High School transcript