School of Communication, Journalism, and Media Scholarships
A. Victoria Endowed Internship Award
This award was established by Ashleigh V. Laabs, ’07 alumna, to support an undergraduate participating in an internship within the College of the Arts and Media.
Ashleigh Laabs is founder and chief growth officer of A. Victoria MAE, a fractional marketing company.
Award qualifications:
Bila-Michels Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2008 by James J. '83 and Kallie Bila '85 Michels. James (Jim) and Kallie wish to assist students studying Journalism, Media Arts or Integrative Public Relations in broadening their experiences and knowledge through internship opportunities.
Clarke Endowed Student Journalist Scholarship
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David and Kathleen Ling Endowed Scholarship in Forensics
Established in 2006 by David and Kathleen Ling, family and friends. David is a retired professor of the Communication program who has established the scholarship to be awarded to a full-time student who shows special merit in debate and is involved in the debate program at CMU. The award is to be administered by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid in consultation with the Dean of the College of the Arts and Media and the Director of Forensics.
Debate and Forensics
These generous awards are offered to communication students who are active and successful participants in CMU's debate program. These scholarships, which are not based on need, are paid per year over four years. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 grade point average and satisfy the forensics competition requirements outlined by the coaching staff.
Dennis L. Durkee Endowed Award in Journalism
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Diane S. Krider PRSSA Chapter Young Professional Award
The Diane S. Krider PRSSA Chapter Young Professional Award is a non-need-based award designed to encourage professionalism through continued engagement with PRSSA and involvement in professional networking and learning opportunities.
In order to qualify for the award, you must meet the following requirements:
Dr. Michael J. Petrick Journalism Scholarship
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Emily and Jason Dizik Media Scholarship
Established by Emily & Jason Dizik both ’08 Media Arts alums.
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Eugene C. Chenoweth Debate Award
Established in 1980 by the estate of Eugene C. Chenoweth, income from which is to be used as an award for undergraduates who shall exhibit excellence in intercollegiate debate competition. The award is to be administered by the Director of Debate and Area Coordinator of the Communication Program.
Fausto and Glady Fernandez Memorial Scholarship
Established by Media Arts Alumnus Eduardo Fernandez in memory of his parents.
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Friends of Journalism
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Frucci Tucker Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2022 by Brianne Frucci-Tucker '04 and Patrick Tucker '05. Brianne and Patrick met at CMU in the fall of 2002. They married after Patrick graduated in 2005 and ultimately ended up in Grand Rapids, MI. They have long had the goal of funding a scholarship at their alma mater because their decision to go to CMU paved the way for what their lives would become. In addition, Brianne was able to pay 100% of her tuition and fees through earned scholarships, including multiple awards funded by alumni. They are thrilled to be able to help future students in the same way.
General Motors Scholarship in Honor of Tony Cervone
Tony Cervone was named senior vice president, Global Communications, in May 2014. As GM’s top communications executive, he is responsible for the company’s overall global communications strategy, including the GM Foundation and corporate giving activities.
Prior to his current position, Cervone served as executive vice president of Group Communications for Volkswagen Group of America. He also was senior vice president and chief communications officer for United Airlines. Cervone was previously at GM from 1999 to 2009 in various executive roles. He began his career at Chrysler Group and DaimlerChrysler AG.
Cervone earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University where he majored in Journalism. He is a member of the Arthur Page Society, the Public Relations Society of America and The Seminar. He is a board member of The LaGrant Foundation and Detroit Children’s Fund.
George and Vivian Malewska Scholarship
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Gilbert O. Maienknecht Scholarship
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Gilbert Rau Oratory Award
Established in 1982 for three students chosen as the best speaker in the annual Gilbert Rau Oratory Contest.
Herbert L. and Lillian M. Curry Debate Award
Established in 1955 by Karen Heydenburg and Dennis Curry in memory of their parents, with a preference for junior or senior communication majors with a 3.0 or better GPA and an emphasis in oratory/debate or speech education and participation in debate, oratory or other forensic activities.
Integrative Public Relations Alumni Award
The Integrative Public Relations Alumni Award was created by 2002 IPR alumna Anne Gaertner and is funded by campaign contributions from IPR alumni and friends. The non-need-based award will provide assistance to attend the National PRSSA conference.
The award provided to each recipient is to be used toward conference fees and related travel.
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Jeffrey Ray Vernon Memorial Scholarship
Established by Stanley and Hilda Vernon in memory of their son Jeffrey Ray Vernon.
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Jennifer H. Bourque Memorial Award
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Jerry Fitzhenry Scholarship
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Funds associated with this award may be used for:
Renewable up to 3 years after initial award, but student must reapply and meet criteria
Jim and Carol Wojcik Endowed Scholarship
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Journalism Scholar of the Year
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Kelly Fitzpatrick and Bruce Wood Memorial
Named in Memory of Kelly Fitzpatrick (Journalism major) and Bruce Wood (Media Arts major) who were engaged to be married and tragically killed in a car accident shortly after graduation from CMU.
Qualifications:
Available every other year (2023-2024, 2025-2026, etc.)
Ken Stevens Memorial Endowed Photojournalism Internship Scholarship
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Lawrence E. Abbott Endowed Scholarship
Established in 2004 by Lawrence E. Abbott '55. The income from the endowment will support a renewable award for a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in the College of the Arts and Media and majoring in speech. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need and maintain an overall GPA of 3.0.
Leadership Award
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Matt Dobek Endowment
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Morris Family CMU Endowed Scholarship
Established in 2009 by Laurie and Michael J. Morris, '80, '93. Income from the endowment will equally support three awards for students enrolled in the College of Business Administration, College of the Arts and Media and for students enrolled in a masters program with Global Campus Programs.
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Opperman Public Relations Internship Endowment
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Outstanding Junior or Senior in Journalism
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Pam Klein Scholarship
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Peter B. Orlik MAB Foundation Scholarship
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation offers four scholarships to Media Arts students in the name of Peter B. Orlik, founder and former director of the Media Arts program.
Qualifications:
• Signed Media Arts Major, Cinema Arts Major, or Minor (including Cinema Studies)
• Active in a Media Arts co-curricular activity
• Minimum Media Arts GPA of 2.5 and an overall GPA of 2.5
You must be enrolled in Fall and Spring to be awarded the scholarship. Please include a resume and a professional-looking headshot with your application.
Robert E. McCabe Scholarship
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Ron Marmarelli Scholarship
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Serrin Memorial Scholarship
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Stevens/Latus Internship Program
Ruth Stevens ’80 and her husband, Steve Latus, have established the Ruth Anne Stevens and Stephen P. Latus Endowed Internship Program to assist Central Michigan University students interested in a career in a media-related field to participate in a university-sanctioned internship program. Ruth, who spent 38 years working in higher education public relations, credits Central Michigan University with providing her valuable collegiate experiences and preparing her for this profession. Specifically, the internship she completed in CMU’s public relations office directly led to her first job after college in higher education public relations – and several rewarding subsequent positions in the field. Ruth and Steve understand that internships often offer no or little pay. They intend for this gift to provide one-time awards to help students defray expenses associated with internship participation.
Susan Rozman Delia Memorial
Established by Media Arts alumni in memory of Susan Rozman Delia, Media Arts Alumna, the first woman Vice President of ABC & ESPN.
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Suzanne Nichols Endowed Scholarship
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Tim Roberts Country Radio Broadcasters
Named in honor of Media Arts Alumnus Tim Roberts by the County Music Broadcasters.
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Tom and Audrey Lico
Established by Media Arts Alumnus Gary Lico in memory of his parents, Tom & Audrey Lico.
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The Wilbur Moore Prize
Established in 1989 in memory of Wilbur E. Moore, founder of what are now known as the Summer Remedial Clinics and the university's first vice president for academic affairs, for a junior who is enrolled as a major in one of four departments: Communication, Communication Disorders, Media Arts or Theatre and Dance.