MASS COMMUNICATION & COMMUNICATION STUDIES


UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED FOR
FALL SEMESTER 2010

The application deadline for the following scholarships is February 15, 2010.
The application forms will be available online by December 1, 2010, at:
www.towson.edu/mccs

 

1.   Alexander E. Sidorowicz Memorial Scholarship (Amount Varies)


Established by Mrs. Ruth Haswell Sidorowicz in memory of her husband, Alexander E. Sidorowicz, former Dean of Towson University’s College of Fine Arts and Communication. This scholarship is awarded on a rotating basis to students of the Fine and Performing Arts Departments and the Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies in the College of Fine Arts and Communication.


Requirements Include:

  • Overall GPA of 2.0+

  • 30+ Credits

  • Full-time and continuing student in the MCCS Dept.

  • Demonstrate academic achievement and outstanding talent in their field of study

 

2.  Chrystal Marie Clifford Memorial Scholarship (Amount Varies)


Chrystal Marie Clifford graduated summa cum laude from Towson University in 2000 with a B.S. in Mass Communication. Upon graduation she pursued a career in journalism. In February 2001, Chrystal died unexpectedly at the age of 22. To honor Chrystal and to keep her memory alive, her family established a scholarship fund at Towson University. Over the years, many family members and friends have honored Chrystal with gifts to this scholarship fund. Her aunt, Lorry Thomas, and her grandmother, Joanne Thomas, now wish to endow this memorial fund. Through a permanent endowment, students pursuing their education at Towson University will receive scholarship assistance in Chrystal’s name.


Requirements Include:

  • Overall GPA: 3.0+

  • 60+ accumulated credits

  • Demonstrated financial need

  • Mass Communication and Communication Studies major

  • Preference given to students studying journalism


3.  Elizabeth Wainio Memorial Communications Scholarship Endowment Fund created by Friends and Colleagues at Discovery Communications, Inc.
(Combined Fall 2010 & Spring 2011 Award of $4498.00 – approximate).

This scholarship was established to commemorate and honor Elizabeth Wainio, who died at the age of 27 aboard United Flight 93 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001. Ms. Wainio was a 1995 Mass Communication graduate from Towson University.


Requirements Include:

  • Overall GPA: 3.5+

  • A minimum of 30 accumulated credits

  • Mass Communication and Communication Studies major

  • Maryland state resident

  • Nonrenewable

  • Submit a 500-750 word essay titled “The Responsibility of the Media in Today’s World.”

  • Essay will be judged on originality as well as the quality of writing.

  • References should be used and properly cited.

4.  George F. Rogers Fellowship (Amount Varies)

George F. Rogers, Jr. was a television broadcasting pioneer whose career spanned over 40 years. He began his career in local radio in Frederick, Maryland, and moved into television in the early 1950s in Baltimore, Maryland. He was an excellent writer and journalist, and worked as a talk show host, narrator, news reporter, news anchorman and news director. He broadcast sports and weather. He hosted a national sports program (Wonderful World of Golf) and national programming (AT&T Bell Theatre). He performed in national commercials, feature films and corporate videos. A public relations expert, he later managed a Fortune 250 corporate communications and advertising department. In short, he was a model for every communications major, perfecting his craft and applying it to all communications areas. George was a supporter of the Towson State University College of Fine Arts in numerous ways, from participating as the sponsor of the student internship program to proving consultation services to the academic professionals to donating corporate equipment and dollars to the Mass Communication Department. As a returning college student after World War II, he faced many difficulties as he pursued his education. One of those was financed near the end of his senior year. The Scholarship is established to enable an excellent student to graduate and make the most of the final school year. Without financial concerns, a student can take the (perhaps unpaid) internship if necessary to a well-rounded education, pursue an independent study, or concentrate on the final year to learn as much as possible in the final major classes. How dreadful it would be that a student with excellent credentials might miss these experiences – or perhaps not graduate at all because money proved a stumbling block. The Scholarship is designed to remove that potential barrier. In order to maximize its effectiveness, the award should be made to as many students as possible. Therefore, a new student should receive the award each year (no “repeat” designees).The key factors in deciding the recipient should be academic excellence, especially in the major, and career potential. That is why the overall GPA is only 3.0. I am not concerned if a student earns a “C” in science or math if the chosen career path is communications. Conversely, the GPA in the major should be high, showing aptitude in the chosen professional area.

Requirements Include:

  • Major GPA of 3.25+

  • Overall GPA of 3.0+

  • Undergraduate students majoring in journalism, new media, public relations, advertising, electronic media including TV/video, and film.

  • Recipients must have at least one but no more than two semesters remaining prior to graduation.

  • The award shall be based on merit, with financial need being a consideration but not the overriding factor.

  • Preference given to students concentrating in the field of television and/or video


5.  The Jamie Parker Memorial Scholarship (Amount Varies)

Established by the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity in memory of James "Jamie" Parker. A musician, performer, and student, he was much beloved by all who knew him. Jamie, who loved to entertain, shared the role of the Oriole Bird while attending Towson as an undergraduate majoring in Mass communication and Communication Studies. His life was cut tragically short by an automobile accident when returning from visiting, as the Oriole Bird, a hospitalized child.

Requirements Include:

  • Overall GPA of 2.25+

  • 30+ credits

  • Renewable for up to 2 years

  • Full-time declared Mass Communication & Communication Studies or Electronic Media & Film majors.

  • Candidates must submit an essay describing the extent of their community service activities.

  • Preference given to candidates whose community service activities benefit children

  • Preference given to Maryland residents

  • The committee may consider financial need when selecting the successful recipient(s).

6.  Kathryn Dudek Memorial Scholarship Endowment (Amount Varies)

Henry and Olga Dudek established the Kathryn Dudek Memorial Scholarship in memory of their daughter, Kathryn, a 1976 graduate of Towson University’ s Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies. While at Towson, Kathryn worked as a photographer for the football team. Post-graduation, she went on to become a nationally recognized sports photographer. After her tragic death in 1992, she became the first female sports photojournalist to have a solo exhibit at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Sarasota Springs, New York. Her work was also exhibited at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, showcasing her photographic accomplishments to thousands of people from all over the world.
The scholarship honors Kathryn’s memory by recognizing the achievements of Towson University junior and senior Mass Communication majors who intend to pursue careers in photojournalism.


Requirements Include:

  • 3.0+ GPA

  • Mass Communication major

  • Renewable

  • Displays an interest in photojournalism

 

7.  Patrick John O’Connell Memorial Fund (Amount Varies)

This scholarship recognizes the most promising Mass Communication student. Qualifications for the scholarship require recipients to be an undergraduate student majoring in Mass Communications with a special interest in Broadcast Journalism, Cinematography, Journalism or Public Relations,

 

Requirements Include:

  • Overall GPA 3.0+

  • Renewable

  • 60+ credits

  • Interest in Broadcast Journalism, Cinematography, or Public Relations

  • Must submit a biography along with cover letter explaining why you would be an outstanding representative of the major

8.  Richard T. Bolan Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Integrated Communication. ($1,000.00)

Richard Bolan, who attended Towson State College, now Towson University, in the 1960s, was a lawyer, social worker and activist who championed the rights of those less fortunate. He was known for his work with Disabled in Action, an organization that seeks to end discrimination against people with disabilities. He also founded the Helping Families Stay Together Program sponsored by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services and the Family League. Mr. Bolan died in May of 2000. The purpose of the fund is to recognize the academic excellence of students majoring in Mass Communication with a dual track in Public Relations and Advertising.


Requirements Include:

  • Overall GPA: 3.5+

  • Nonrenewable

  • 60+ credits or more by the end of the most recent summer session

  • At the time of the award, the student must be currently enrolled at Towson University

  • At the time of application, a student’s academic record shall indicate a declaration of the intent to major in Mass Communication with tracks in BOTH Public Relations and Advertising.

  • Student has received a grade of “A” in MCOM 214 (Principles of Advertising), MCOM 253 (Principles of Public Relations), MCOM 325 (Advertising Copywriting) and MCOM 357 (Public Relations writing).

  • Among the qualified applicants (meeting these criteria), the individual with the highest overall GPA will be awarded the prize. If two or more students have the exact overall GPA (out to three decimal points), the award for that year shall be evenly split among those students.

  • If no applications are received in any given year that meet the above criteria, then the award shall not be given for that year.


9.  Sam Lacy Sports Communications Scholarship Fund ($584.00)

Established by the Orioles organization in 1998 in honor of Sam Lacy, renowned African-American sports journalist and civil rights activist.

Requirements Include:

  • Major GPA of 3.25+

  • Overall GPA of 3.0+

  • Mass Communication & Communication Studies major

  • 60+ credits

  • The ability to demonstrate an interest in sports journalism

 

10.  Steven & Laura Murfin Mass Communication and Communication Studies Scholarship ($357.00)

The Steven & Laura Murfin Mass Communication and Communication Studies Scholarship was established in 2000 by Steven ('77) and Laura Murfin ('76). Steven graduated from Towson University with a BS in Mass Communication and Communication Studies, while Laura obtained a degree in Early Childhood Education. They generously chose to fund student scholarships in each of their majors.

Requirements Include:

  • Recipient selection based on outstanding academic achievement

  • Mass Communication & Communication Studies major

 

11.  The Brian Billick Sports Communication Scholarship ($1,000.00)

This scholarship is funded from the Brian Billick Dinner & Lecture event held in 2008. Brian Billick was the head coach for the Baltimore Ravens for nine seasons. He also received his undergraduate degree in mass communication. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide support for students interested in sports communication. Awards are based on financial need, academic achievement, and/or exceptional talent within the discipline.