How a hot dog led to a $120,000 college scholarship for a Bartlesville student
Two years ago, Ryan Fouts sold a hot dog that one day would be worth $120,000.
What he didn't realize is that he sold more than just a hot dog —. he sold himself that day.
On Thursday, Fouts signed a full-ride four-year scholarship to Central Methodist University during a signing ceremony at Bartlesville High School — but not for athletics, arts or academics. It was for his leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.
"Never in my 10 years have I ever heard of anything like this," BHS Principal LaDonna Chancellor said of the unusual signing ceremony.
Photos: Bartlesville High School Commencement 2022
Fouts didn't apply for the $120,000 scholarship, nor was CMU on his radar for schools. He had even made up his mind to attend Texas A&M.
But selling that hot dog to Joe Parisi, vice president of enrollment management and athletics at Central Methodist University, changed his life.
It began when Parisi was visiting Glenn Cox, an alumnus of CMU and former president and chief operations officer of Phillips 66.
Parisi and Cox stopped by Cooper and Mill Brew Co. and noticed a hot dog cart run by then-16-year-old Fouts in the parking lot.
While serving up hot dogs from his stand named Ryan's Dawgs, Fouts extolled the values of owning his own business versus working for someone else.
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Parisi was so impressed by the young man's "ethics, spirit, and grit" that he was determined to get Fouts to attend CMU. He offered him a full-ride scholarship.
Fouts is thrilled with how things turned out. He plans to work toward a business or dental degree.
"it was a crazy set of circumstances," he said.
And Ryan's Dawgs will follow him to the campus of CMU, where he has gotten special permission to continue his business at sporting and special events.
"I'm completely blown away," Fouts said. "Definitely the right place at the right time."
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Bartlesville senior Ryan Foust signs scholarship to Central Methodist
