Johannes Becht of Pforzheim, Germany, has been named the Jack B. Shelton & Walter Crouch Scholar for the pursuit of authentic journalism for the 2023-2024 academic year at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU).
Becht is a senior at SWOSU pursing a degree in strategic communications and a minor in world languages. As a part of his scholarship application, Becht wrote an essay about Mstyslav Chernov, an award-winning Ukrainian photographer, filmmaker and war correspondent whom he admires.
The Jack B. Shelton & Walter Crouch Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2017 to honor the life and accomplishments of the late Jack B. Shelton and the late Walter Crouch. The fund has been generously endowed by Shelton’s widow, Margaret Shelton of Oakland (MD), and their children: daughter Becky West (SWOSU Class of 1976) and husband Bill of Lake Eufaula; daughter Susan Smith of Oakland (MD); and son Jack “Barney” Shelton (SWOSU Class of 1988) and his wife Wanda of Ham Lake (MN).
Together, Shelton and Crouch invested over four decades of service to SWOSU. The two men worked passionately and diligently to cultivate the university’s distinctive and enduring brand and style. Shelton and Crouch mentored and inspired many students during their years at SWOSU.
The Jack B. Shelton & Walter Crouch Memorial Scholarship Fund is stewarded by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. The Foundation was established in 1977 to promote philanthropy, award scholarships, and distribute funds to support the activities and programs of SWOSU. For more information about The Jack B. Shelton & Walter Crouch Memorial Scholarship or any SWOSU Foundation funds, please contact 580-774-3267 or visit www. SWOSUFoundation.com.
