Vaughan Honored To Be A Baker Scholar

By Chandra Harris-McCray
(appeared in spring 2009 Alumnus)

Brad Vaughan has heard about UT law alum and former Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. all his life. “My parents have always talked about his resilience in public policy. I learned about his leadership role in the Watergate hearings in school,” Vaughan said.

So when Vaughan was asked in 2004 to be part of the inaugural class of Baker Scholars he jumped at the opportunity. Supporting and enhancing the goals of the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, Baker Scholars are UT’s brightest and most politically engaged students.

Vaughan received other scholarships to attend UT, but he considers the title of Baker Scholar an honor. “‘Baker Scholar’ is the first line on my resume. It’s an honor that I am always eager to talk about,” said Vaughan, who is a UT law student and managing editor of the Baker Center Journal of Applied Public Policy.

The Crossville, Tenn., native who received his bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from UT in 2006, said he is fortunate because he didn’t have the burden on his mind of how he was going to pay for tuition to attend college.