Stover Scholars meet with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Barrett and other national leaders during annual trip to D.C.

The Waynesburg University Stover Scholars once again engaged with influential leaders and institutions during their annual spring trip to Washington, D.C., held Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026.

Highlights of this year's visit included meetings with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, offering students a rare opportunity to engage directly with two of the nation's most prominent government leaders.

The two-day experience provided students with opportunities to apply their classroom learning through meaningful conversations on constitutional law, public policy and leadership with professionals serving at the highest levels of government.

"These leaders care about America's youth and are eager to answer our questions," said Emma Shashura, a junior Stover Scholar who attended the trip. "This trip truly helped me learn how to live out the motto of the Stover Center which is 'transforming the polis.' One experience that comes to mind was when I was able to sit down with the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the White House Office of Public Liaison to ask about how I can make a difference at Waynesburg University through student leadership. Getting to sit in front of our country's leaders is an unmatched experience that I was able to have because of the incredible Stover Program at Waynesburg University."

Throughout the trip, students participated in a series of meetings across the nation's capital, beginning with a visit to the Embassy of Switzerland, where they learned about international relations and diplomacy. Students then visited the White House's Old Executive Office Building before meeting with U.S. Senator Dave McCormick at the Hart Senate Office Building. During this session, scholars discussed current legislative priorities and the role of the Senate in shaping national policy.

Later in the day, the group met with T. Elliot Gaiser, Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel, where they explored the legal framework guiding executive branch decision-making.

The first day concluded with a formal dinner at the Army Navy Club where students, accompanied by Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee, continued conversations with both professionals and alumni, further strengthening their understanding of leadership in practice.

On the second day, students visited American University, where they met with the university's president Jonathan Alger to discuss higher education leadership and the role of universities in shaping civic engagement.

The group then traveled to NASA headquarters for a meeting with Stover Scholar alumnus Luke Diel ('22), who now serves as a policy advisor. His insights provided a unique perspective on the intersection of science, policy and government service.

The trip culminated with the scholars' visit to the U.S. Supreme Court, where, in addition to meeting with Justice Amy Coney Barrett, they also engaged with Supreme Court Clerk Scott Harris, gaining further insight into the Court's inner workings.

Through each experience, students were able to connect their academic studies with real-world applications, deepening their understanding of constitutional principles, public service and ethical leadership.

"By meeting with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser, White House Strategist Alex Flemister, Gibson Dunn attorney and former Justice Department Official Thomas H. Dupree, Jr., Swiss Embassy Officials, NASA leaders, and American University President Jonathan Alger, the Stover Scholars experienced the breadth of the three branches of the U.S. Government and explored fascinating issues of international relations, and space, legal, and educational policy," said Dr. Lawrence M. Stratton, Director of the Stover Center and Professor of Ethics and Constitutional Law. "The trip continued the Stover Scholar tradition of connecting classroom discussions with critical decision makers."

Scholars were grateful to once again share in the unique experiences the trip provides.

"The Stover Program's annual trip to Washington D.C. has proved year after year to be an immensely valuable experience that will provide me the necessary tools to attend and succeed in law school through the valuable insight of respective individuals in various professional fields," said Alexander Canestraro, a senior Stover Scholar. "This year's lineup of speakers, touching base on all three branches of the U.S. government, was by far my favorite trip among my four years as a Stover Scholar."

"The Stover D.C. trip was a fantastic experience: both educationally and personally," shared Sydney Kratsas, a junior Scholar. "The speakers we met were so informative and were able to give us invaluable insight into their various fields. The days were packed full of diverse and interesting activities from a visit to the Swiss Embassy for lunch to a private session with Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

"I personally loved meeting with Thomas H. Dupree, Jr., a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Gibson Dunn. As a seasoned attorney who has argued numerous times in the Supreme Court, his insights on his career, our country, and the law were fascinating coupled with his extremely entertaining delivery."

Waynesburg University Stover Scholars who attended this year's Washington, D.C., trip include:

• Rachel Arhin
• Joel Baily
• Joshua Baily
• Emily Barker
• Carolyn Clarkson
• Kathryn Cottis
• Theresa Eggleston
• Tyler Gordon
• Sydney Kratsas
• Makai'o Nihipali-Sanchez
• Avery Rape
• Gracie Rape
• Jackson Sauders
• John Scott
• Josiah Shimizu
• Emma Shashura
• Olivia Toth

The Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership Scholarship