This year the Department of Journalism is awarding 30 scholarships and awards worth almost $45,000. Application deadline is 5 p.m. April 3, 2020.
Interested students must submit:
A completed application form:
Faculty recommendation forms are NOT required this year.
A copy of your official or unofficial CMU transcript
Your current resume
One-page essays for each scholarship and award which requires them (see specific criteria below)
IMPORTANT NOTES
Students must be enrolled full-time in the fall of 2020 to be eligible.
Students may apply for - and receive - more than one scholarship and/or award
Unless otherwise indicated in the specific scholarship criteria, JOURNALISM MAJOR includes all department majors (journalism; advertising; photojournalism; journalism-PR concentration.) MINOR refers to a journalism minor.
The scholarship committee includes: Lori Brost, Elina Erzikova, Steve Coon, Kathy Backus, and Zulfia Zaher
Scholarships and Endowment criteria
Jack and Nancy Benedict Endowed Award
$500
Signed journalism major on file
Minimum GPA of 2.5
Jennifer H. Bourque Memorial Award
$1,000
Signed photojournalism major on file
Minimum GPA of 2.5
Demonstrate financial need
Michigan resident
Preference will be given to a student who is a single parent
The award may be renewable through the completion of a degree as long as the student remains full-time
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated merit with an emphasis on financial need
Renewable, but student must reapply
General Motors Scholarship in Honor of Tony Cervone
$1,750
Signed major in Journalism, Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, or IPR
Demonstrates financial need
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Renewable up to 3 years after initial award, but student must reapply and meet criteria.
Clarke Endowed Student Journalist Scholarship
$1,500
Journalism major
At least two semesters of work at CM-LIFE and/or college newspaper as a transfer student
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Financial need
Renewable, but student must reapply
Kenneth W. and Margaret Cuff Saunders Scholarship
Three awards of $1,550 each
Journalism major
Undergraduate junior or senior
Transfer or CMU student 3.5 or better GPA
Matt Dobek Endowment
Two awards of $2,000 each
Journalism major
Full-time student
Students must demonstrate the need for financial support for travel to conferences, internships, and/or study abroad
One-page essay expressing need based on the criteria
Dennis L. Durkee Endowed Award in Journalism
$500
Sophomore or higher
Minimum GPA 3.0
Financial need
Jerry Fitzhenry Scholarship
Two awards of $2,297.28 each
Signed journalism major, enrolled in courses focused on writing, journalism, or photojournalism
Public relations majors are not eligible to receive this award
Funds associated with this award may be used for:
- Travel costs associated with a departmentally-approved internship based outside of the mid-Michigan region. Internships may be domestic or international in nature.
- Travel costs associated with a curriculum-based study abroad program focused on writing, journalism, or photojournalism. Qualifying study abroad programs will be approved and managed by the Office of Study Abroad.
- Travel costs associated with a departmentally-approved independent study project focusing on writing, journalism, or photojournalism.
Funds associated with this award MAY NOT be used to support travel to any conference, convention, or meeting.
Renewable up to 3 years after initial award, but student must reapply and meet criteria.
Kelly Fitzpatrick ad Bruce Wood Memorial Scholarship
$2,000
Awarded to a student on the basis of service
Confirmation the applicant intends to pursue a career in journalism
Signed journalism major form on file
Experience in field of study (examples include working for an online news or feature organization, newspaper, television station, etc.)
Involvement in activities outside the department (examples include organized groups, clubs, community volunteer programs and events)
The money is to be used exclusively for educational expenses
One-page essay focusing on service
Pam Klein Scholarship
$2,000
Signed journalism major
Full-time student
At least two semesters of significant contribution as a writer or editor at CM Life
Intention to pursue a career focused on writing (not photography, design or broadcast)
Avid reader of the news media
Non-smoker and non-user of tobacco products
Demonstrate curiosity about how things work
Demonstrate tough fairness and fair toughness
Demonstrate tenacity to do what's right, not what's easy;
Demonstrate clear writing that cuts through the clutter and gets to the meat of an issue;
Demonstrate not only high journalistic standards, but also serve as a role model and/or mentor for other journalism students
One-page essay demonstrating above
Minimum 3.0 overall GPA and 3.3 JRN GPA
Gilbert O. Maienknecht Scholarship
Two awards of $1,500 each
Confirmation applicant intends to pursue a career in journalism and/or broadcasting
Signed JRN major/minor
Full-time student status
Financial need is a major, but not an exclusive, consideration
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated merit and financial need
Ron Marmarelli Scholarship
$1,250
Journalism major or minor
Junior/senior status with demonstrated financial need
Preference given to student who is first in his/her family to attend college
Preference given to student who has been involved in/demonstrated leadership in a student media or pre-professional organization
GPA of at least 2.75
One-page essay should address the importance of the news media in an era of "fake news" and citizen journalists
George and Vivian Malewska Scholarship
$1,500
Major in news/editorial journalism
Preference for those working at CM Life or Grand Central Magazine
Interested in pursuing a career in journalism
Minimum 2.5 overall GPA
Robert E. McCabe Scholarship
Two awards of $2,000 each
Confirmation the applicant intends to pursue a career in journalism and/or broadcasting
Signed major/minor form on file
Financial need; FAFSA form must be on file with the Financial Aid Office
Full-time student status as a senior
Journalism GPA of at least 3.2
One-page essay demonstrating merit and financial need
Suzanne Nichols Endowed Scholarship
$2,000
Intends to pursue a career in journalism
Signed journalism major/minor
Full-time student status
Journalism GPA of 3.0
Renewable but student must reapply
Opperman Public Relations Internship Endowment
$1,700
Confirmation the applicant intends to pursue a career in public relations
Public relations student participating in an unpaid or underpaid public relations internship
The internship must either be a graduation requirement for the recipient or the recipient must be returning to academic studies at CMU after completing the internship
Journalism or integrative public relations major
GPA of at least 3.0
One-page essay of merit based on the criteria of the scholarship
Dr. Michael J. Petrick Journalism Scholarship
2-4 awards of at least $1,000 each
News/editorial student journalism major
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Demonstrate financial need
Ken Stevens Memorial Endowed Photojournalism Internship Scholarship
$1,700
Photojournalism major
CM-Life or Grand Central Magazine staff photographer or other suitable media outlet
Interest in a visual media related internship
Junior or senior
Minimum GPA of 2.75
Renewable, but student must reapply
Jim and Carol Wojcik Endowed Scholarship
$1,500
Journalism major
GPA of at least 2.75
Recipient must be participating in an approved student media program or pre-professional organization including, but not limited to: PRSSA, PR Central, Central Michigan LIFE, Grand Central Magazine, Ad Club, etc.
One-page essay of merit based on the criteria of the scholarship
Renewable, but student must reapply
Dennis Jeffers Memorial Scholarship
$500
A signed journalism major form must be on file
Previous recipients may apply
One-page essay explaining why you merit this award
Departmental Awards and Honors
Outstanding Junior or Senior
$625
Signed journalism major
Must currently be a junior or senior and enrolled for classes in Fall 2020
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated merit
Leadership Award
$625
Signed journalism major
Leadership in/out of Department of Journalism including groups, events, volunteerism, associations
Full-time student status
Experience with leadership at CM Life and/or Grand Central Magazine or similar field of study
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated leadership
Journalism Scholar of the Year
$625
Signed journalism major form must be on file
Student's overall GPA and journalism GPA will be strong considerations
Full-time student status
Previous recipients may apply
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated scholarly achievement
Friends of Journalism
$625
Signed major/minor on file
Full-time student status
Journalism GPA of at least 3.0
Previous recipients may apply
One-page essay explaining how you have demonstrated merit and financial need