Department of Communication

2008 Department of Communication Award Winners

Distinguished Seniors:
BEM - Lauren Beymer
JOU - Melissa Mollohan
PUB - Glenna Anderson
CMS - Jennifer Fecher
Outstanding Senior for Department: Melissa Mollohan
Christy Guttridge Awards
BEM - Autumn Wilson
JOU - Maria Fitzgerald & Katy McBride
Chris Schulte Internship (BEM): Ashley Sprague
Andreas and Poppy Zizos Journalism Award: Laura Butler
Elizabeth D. Fraas Journalism Award: Barry Cameron Blair & Maria Lee Fitzgerald
Charles Weaver Award (CMS): Brittany Mace
Dan Mason Scholarship (BEM ): Amber Ungaro
Ruth C. Rogers Scholarships for Film Studies: Wil Thames & David White
Glen Kleine Scholarship: Amber Ungaro
Dean Cannon PR/BEM Scholarship: Amber Ungaro & Autumn Wilson
Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar (highest GPA Sr. in dept.): Lauren Beymer
Kappa Tau Alpha initiates
Jessica Figg
Ruth Ann Lee
Kristen Miller
Melissa Mollohan
Tessa D. Price
Jennifer Weber

Available Scholarships

All scholarship applications, unless otherwise stated, can be obtained in the Department of Communication office, Combs Building 316 in early February. All scholarship application deadlines are March 1, unless otherwise stated and should be submitted in the Department of Communication main office. Students should be aware that scholarship money may be deducted from any federal grants the student may receive.

Departmental Scholarships:
Freshmen Scholarships

The $200 Freshman Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Public Relations, and Communication Studies Scholarships are awarded to second semester freshmen students based on EKU grade point average, activities within the Communication Department, activities within the university and professionally related off-campus activities. Deadline for applications is March 1.

The $200 Carol J. Wright Freshman Journalism Scholarship is awarded to a second semester journalism student based on EKU grade point average, activities within the Communication Department, activities within the university and professionally related off-campus activities. Deadline for applications is March 1.

Eastern Kentucky University freshmen may pick up scholarship forms in January from the Communication Department office, Combs 316.

Other Departmental Scholarships

NEW! -- The Dr. Glen Kleine Scholarship was created by an anonymous donor in Dr. Kleine's name. Dr. Glen Kleine was a Professor of Journalism, former Chair of the department and former Dean of the College of Applied Arts and Technology. Students must be mass communication majors who can demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. Deadline for applications is March 1.

The Andreas and Poppy Zizos Journalism Award ($1,500) is awarded to a freshman or sophomore journalism student who has a 3.0 GPA or higher and submits an essay stating why they are worthy of the scholarship. EKU graduate Chryssa Zizos has created an opportunity for students to pursue careers in journalism through this scholarship. The Andreas and Poppy Zizos scholarship honors Chryssa's parents who encouraged her education and enriched her experiences at home. The award is for the academic year and is renewable each year the student remains qualified. However, students must reapply each year and undergo award selection by the committee.The award is renewable if the student continues to meet the criteria and resubmits an essay each year. Deadline for applications is March 1.

The Elizabeth D. Fraas Journalism Award ($1,500) is awarded to a junior or senior journalism student who has a 3.0 GPA or higher and submits an essay. This scholarship recognizes former EKU Journalism professor Elizabeth Fraas and was established by EKU journalism graduate Chryssa Zizos.The award is renewable if the student continues to meet the criteria and resubmits an essay each year. Applications are available in the Communication Department Office, COMBS 316, phone 859-622-1871. Deadline for applications is March 1.

The Charles Weaver Fund ($50) is awarded to an outstanding Communication Studies senior selected by the faculty in that discipline. This award was endowed in the 1920's by Charles Weaver for an outstanding student in public speaking.GPA and service to department and university are considered. Awarded in May. Deadline for applications is March 1.

The Dan Mason Broadcasting and Electronic Media Endowed Scholarship was instituted in May of 2005 by Dan Masden (Mason), a 1973 EKU graduate in broadcasting who has served as an adviser and consultant to companies in the radio broadcasting industry since his retirement from Infinity Radio in 2002. Currently the award is for $1,000. and is for a Broadcasting and Electronic Media major with a major GPA of 3.0 and an overall GPA of at least a 2.5. The student must be in good standing at EKU at the time of the award and during the term in which it is received. The student must submit a short essay (500-1,000 words) on how these funds would enhance their opportunities in the field and share their aspirations after graduation. Applications are available in the Communication Department Office, Combs 316. Deadline for applications is March 1.

The Dr. Dean C. Cannon Endowed Memorial Communication Scholarship was created in the name of Dean Cannon, a professor of communication at EKU since 1978. He was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year in the EKU College of Applied Arts and Techhnology in 1982. He was acting chair of the EKU Department of Mass Communications from 1991 to 1992. This award is currently in the amount of $500 and designated for a full-time student at EKU in good academic at the time of the award and during the term of the award. The student must be pursuing a major in broadcasting and electronic media or public relations and be a junior or senior with a overall GPA of 3.0. A formal application must be submitted along with an essay of not less than 350 and no more than 400 words addressing the following: 1) What is your communication career goal? 2) What role do communications media play in American society? 3) How will your studies at EKU prepare you for your communication career in that society? Deadline for applications is March 1.

The Karen L. Rudick Entrepreneurial Scholarship was created by an EKU Communications Studies graduate to provide an opportunity for Communication Studies students. This scholarship pays tribute to Dr. Rudick’s dedication and service to students majoring in Communication Studies, and honors Dr. Rudick for her personal and professional help to students.

The scholarship will be awarded to a student in the fall and spring semesters in the sum of $500 each semester. Award recipients may be chosen more than once. Student applications for the scholarship will be reviewed by Dr. Karen L. Rudick. Applicants must submit:

Current resume listing education, work experience and relevant coursework.
An essay of two pages or less answering one of the following: 1) how the student “thinks outside the box” and how that quality has assisted the applicant in achieving goals, or 2) how the applicant has exhibited persistence in trying to achieve a goal that is personally important.

Send application to: Dr. Karen Rudick, Department of Communication, EKU, 310 Combs Building, Richmond, KY 40475. Deadline for applications is March 1.

The Christy L. Guttridge Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of a 1984 graduate who was killed in an automobile accident near her home in northern Kentucky shortly after her graduation. The award is based on the student's quality of scholarship, commitment to the profession, service to the department, and a minimum of 45 credit hours completed. The Communication Department awards four $200 scholarships, one in each discipline: broadcasting & electronic media, journalism, public relations, and communication studies. Deadline for applications is March 1.

The Ruth Rogers Memorial Scholarship in Cinema Studies was established in 2005 by an EKU broadcasting professor for students specifically pursuing a degree in BEM Film Option. Applicants must be full-time EKU broadcasting& electronic media juniors or seniors with more than 59 credit hours and be in good standing at the time of the award and during the award term. Applicants should submit proof of personal income for the previous year (or family income if still claimed as a dependent) and submit and essay of 350-400 words outlining their cinema career goals and what they wish to accomplish through film-making. The award is for $1000 and is good for the academic year. Deadline for applications is March 1.

The Chris Schulte Award is given to a junior or senior communication major at EKU with an interest or aptitude in the video area. Among the criteria to be considered for the award are GPA, work experience, and career aspirations. The applicant must be a full-time EKU broadcasting major in good academic standing and will be offered an internship, co-op or practicum at Hammond Productions. Hammond Productions makes the final decision following the student's application submission and interview. Deadline for applications is December 1.

Professional Scholarships / Outside the Department of Communication

NEW! -- The Ralph W. Gabbard Educational Scholarship was established to honor the memory of a man who gave so much to the field of television in central and eastern Kentucky. It is the aim of this scholarship to further the qualities of leadership and knowledge that Ralph Gabbard exhibited every day as a national leader in broadcasting. The scholarship includes a $5,000 cash award for one school year (renewable) and a summer internship at WKYT or WYMT. To be eligible, you must live within viewing area of WKYT or WYMT, be at least a junior in any Kentucky college, be matriculated for a Broadcast Journalism or Mass Communication degree, and have a 3.0 overall academic standing. Financial need will be a consideration.

To apply, contact WKYT or WYMT. Application form must be submitted with a one-page essay on how the student believes he or she could help perpetuate Mr. Gabbard's vision. Deadline for submission is June 1.

NEW! -- The KSHPRM Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship awarded by the Kentucky Society for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing to a deserving Kentucky college student based on academic and other achievements and financial need. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a Kentucky college or university as a junior or senior for the 2008 Fall Semester, and must be pursuing a major in PR, Marketing or a related field such as communications, journalism or advertising. The application is currently available for students at colleges and universities with Marketing/PR, communications and journalism programs. The deadline to apply is April 7 with the scholarship presentation to be made at the Thoroughbred Awards luncheon May 13. For more information, contact Edna K. Duggins, KSHPRM Scholarship Chair, at e.duggins@hospiceohiovalley.org.

The Gary Yoshimura Scholarship ($2,400) is open to all PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) members who demonstrate a financial need for the pursuit of higher education in the public relations field. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. There will be one annual award of $2,400 given to the winner of this scholarship. Applicants will be notified in early April. No applications will be accepted after January 25, 2008. Click here for application form.

KY Press Association Internships for $3000 are awarded to any student who has complered his or her freshman year at a Kentucky University.The internships are completed at selected Kentucky newspapers for a period of ten weeks during the summer.

KY Society for Hospital Public Relations for $500 (apply for Junior or Senior year). The student must be a full-time junior or senior enrolled in a bachelor's program and majoring in public relations or a related field of study at any of the Kentucky colleges. The award is based on academic achievement and financial need.

A $1,000 Harry C. Barfield Scholarship is awarded annuallly by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association to two broadcasting students at any of Kentucky's institutions of higher education. If awarded as a junior and grades are maintained, the scholarship is renewable. Interested students should contact the department chair at their respective institutions for an application.

A second $1,000 Harry C. Barfield Scholarship is awarded annually by the Television Association of the Bluegrass to an outstanding female or minority student, plus an eight-week internship at four member stations. This scholarship is restricted to broadcasting majors at Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University and the University of Kentucky. Interested students should contact the department chair at their respective institutions.

The Kentucky Press Association Associates PR Student Intern Program offers three awards each summer to students who are placed in a public relations work setting. Students receive $2,000 for the internship. Completed applications include work experience/resume, college courses completed, letter of referrel from an advisor or department director; list of college activities; list of scholarships received, and a statement of no more than 250 words on why the applicant is interested in a public relations career. Application deadline is in October of each year.

Students should be aware that scholarship money may be deducted from any federal grants the student may receive. For additional information on academic scholarships university wide, please contact: ADMISSIONS, 1-800-464-9191 or go to http://www.finaid.eku.edu.