LN
Landon Nault
  • Biology
  • Class of 2018
  • Kingfisher, Oklahoma

Landon Nault Named an Earl W. Sauder Athletic Scholar

2017 Nov 17

Landon Nault of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, was one of 35 student-athletes from all 15 of Emporia State's intercollegiate sports named as 2017-18 Earl W. Sauder Athletic Scholars. Those student-athletes were celebrated during the annual luncheon at the Sauder Alumni Center.

Kent Weiser, executive director of intercollegiate athletics, said a key aspect of his selection process for each Earl W. Sauder Athletic Scholar is a question he asks himself about the late Earl W. Sauder.

"I had the honor of knowing Earl Sauder for many years," said Weiser. "Something I always ask myself during the selection process is 'Would I be able to introduce this young person to Earl Sauder, and would he be proud of them?'"

Even after the passing of Earl Sauder in 2006, the Sauder family has continued to build on his legacy by enhancing the scholarship with gifts of their own. In 2013, Earl Sauder's son Steve Sauder and his wife, Bobbi Sauder, gave a significant gift that doubled the annual output of the Earl W. Sauder Athletic Scholarship.

"I know that Earl would be very proud that these student-athletes are Hornets on and off the field," said Weiser. "The endowed gift by Earl Sauder and the follow-up gift by Steve Sauder and the Sauder family has made an extreme impact on the athletics department and on our ability to recruit top-notch athletes."

Nault, a senior majoring in Nursing, competes in Football for ESU.

Steve Sauder is the president of Emporia's Radio Stations, Inc., (KVOE AM & FM and KFFX-FM) and also a founder and chairman of the Board of Managers of ValuNet, Emporia's fiber-optic broadband network that makes it one of only two gigabyte communities in Kansas.

"One day, my dad and I were talking and I told him that if he gave a substantial gift to Emporia State Athletics, it would be transformative. When he established the scholarship program, he made sure that all 15 sports were included. We're really proud of the Earl W. Sauder Athletic Scholars."