School of Journalism
Scholarships & Awards
for J-School Undergraduates and Graduates
A.A. Applegate Scholarship
Dr. Albert Applegate had a special relationship with students as teacher, mentor and friend. He held them to the highest standards. This award was established by J-School alumni to honor their former teacher. It is awarded to J-School majors who embody the spirit of honesty, integrity and excellence that so characterized his career. Dr. Applegate was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
Albert A. Applegate Outstanding Senior
Dr. Albert Applegate was the long time director of the J-School, joining the faculty in 1935. He spent his career in the pursuit of excellence as a journalist and as a teacher. This honor is awarded to a senior student who excels in scholarly and journalistic activities throughout his or her undergraduate program embodying the spirit and legacy of this legendary J-School professor. Dr. Applegate was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
Baalu Girma Scholarship
Recipients shall be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
The recipient must:
· Be in their sophomore, junior, senior, or master studies at Michigan State University,
· Maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average (GPA) in overall studies,
· Include of a copy of his/her academic record with the application,
· Demonstrate leadership or involvement in multinational/cultural affairs
· Have an understanding and commitment to journalism and appreciation for sacrifices made by those who live in countries where free speech is limited.
Edward A. Augenstein Memorial Scholarship
Reporters who covered the state capital in the 1940s through the 1970s, knew that the first person they needed to meet was Edward Augenstein, press room manager at the state Capitol for 35 years. His son set up this scholarship to honor the memory and work of his father. This award is given annually to a Capital News Service correspondent.
Len Barnes AAA Michigan Fund Award
Len Barnes was a 1943 graduate of the J-School and long time editor of the AAA Michigan magazine, Michigan Living. The award honors his career in travel and recreational journalism that has made Michigan Living among the most respected travel journals and a standard of excellence for others in the field. This award was established by the Auto Club Insurance Association. Application
Capital News Service Connections Awards
Revenue from subscribers newspapers goes to support awards to the top Capital News Service correspondents in the current academic year. This award can go to graduate and undergraduate students.
Rachel Carson Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Environmental Journalism
Named after early environmentalist and author Rachel Carson, this award is given by the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism to the top graduate students in environmental journalism. It is awarded each year to one or more students who have taken courses in environmental journalism.
Bill Coté/Capital News Service Scholarship
A veteran Booth Newspapers State Capitol Bureau reporter, Bill Coté joined the J-School full time in 1986 and ran the Capital News Service until his retirement in 2002. Long considered one of the most innovative and respected bureau of its kind on a college campus, CNS alumni endowed this scholarship in his honor. This award is open to J-School undergraduate juniors or seniors who have completed at least one semester of exceptional work at CNS and have an overall GPA of at least 3.25.
Winthrop Faulkner Scholarship
Winthrop Faulkner, a graduate from the University of Florida and a business executive in the Detroit area from the 1920s to the 1960s, became involved with MSU when his son, James, attended the J-School. James graduated with a BA in Journalism in 1949 and later earned his MA in Education from MSU in 1968. James and his wife, Barbara, established the Winthrop Faulkner Scholarship Fund in memory of his father to encourage other students to follow the advice he gave his son “to get an education”.
Mary Adelaide Gardner Scholarship
Established with a gift by the late Dr. Mary Adelaide Gardner, a legendary journalism professor at MSU from 1966-1991, this scholarship pays full tution costs for a full time senior undergraduate student and a full-time Master's student enrolled in undergraduate skills courses for one academic year. Dr. Gardner served as the first woman president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and also ran a summer journalism workshop for 20 years for El Norte, a newspaper in Monterrey, Mexico. She was adamant that students complete an internship as part of their education. The scholarships are awarded in the spring term for use in the following academic year. Dr. Gardner was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
Mary Gardner Scholars
The Mary Gardner Scholars are selected from the top J-School undergraduate students. Selection is made based on an application for students. To be eligible students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higer, have completed an internship or worked at the State News for at least one year. Applicants must also submit:a completed application, an essay of no more that 500 words on the philosophy of the First Amendment and relate it to the individual's career goals, a resume, evidence of their journalistic work (slips, photos, tapes) or any other examples that shows potential as a journalist and at least two letters of recommendation. As appropriate, a scholarship may be awarded annually to the top student by the J-School's Mary Gardner Scholars Committee.
Susan Goldberg Scholarship
J-School alumna Susan Goldberg has had a stellar career in the news industry. Her career successes include her tenure as executive editor of the San Jose Mercury News and editor of The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio). Eligible students must be a junior or senior majoring in journalism with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher interested in pursuing a career in newspaper or online journalism.
Bob Gross Memorial Scholarship
Established by the family and friends of Bob Gross, a sports reporter at the Lansing State Journal, who died in an accident early in his career. The scholarship is for an entering freshman from mid-Michigan who has a demonstrated interest and intent of majoring in journalism and shows sincere promise as a journalist. A preference will be given to students interested in being sports journalists. If no entering freshman applies or qualifies, then this award may be given to an undergraduate majoring in journalism from the same geographic area.
Wanda J. Herndon Scholarship
A member of the J-School Professional Advisory Council and named a distinguished alumna of MSU in 2002, Wanda Herndon has had a meteoric career in public relations. A J-School alumna, she established this scholarship to provide assistance for students from her hometown of Flint, Michigan and the surrounding area to have the benefit of an MSU J-School education. The scholarship is open to all journalism undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism and show promise of becoming a successful journalist.
Walter S. and Syrena M. Howell Essay Contest
Established by Grant Howell, the now deceased editor of The Daily (Royal Oak) Tribune, to honor his parents, Walter and Syrena Howell, this $3,000 scholarship and $1,000 award is given annually to an undergraduate journalism student who writes the best essay examining media bias, a subject of deep concern to Howell. He was a feisty newsman, in the best sense of the word, always wanting his staff and his newspaper to cover the news fairly, objectively and honestly.
Kappa Tau Alpha
This national honor society for journalism students was founded at the University of Missouri in 1910 to form a bond among students of high academic achievement. The Greek letters stand for Knowledge, Truth and Accuracy. Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar Award recognizes the graduating senior with the highest grade point average.
Kyle C. Kerbawy Graduate Scholarship
A J-School undergraduate in the turbulent 1960s, Kerbawy was editor of The State News, graduating in 1967. He earned his MBA in 1969. A member of the School’s Professional Advisory Council, he and his wife, Teri Fenner, are charter members of MSU’s Beaumont Tower Society. He established this scholarship to provide finanical assistance to a graduate student in journalism. Application
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism Service Award
This is an annual award given each year to one or more students who have made outstanding contributions to environmental journalism at MSU.
John Krieg Scholarship
A 1982 J-School graduate, John Krieg worked for a variety of small and mid-sized daily newspapers in Michigan. He worked for The State News as a copy editor and garnered numerous writing awards during his time on campus. He was news editor of the Morning Sun in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He died in an apartment fire in Mount Pleasant in 1984. He was just 23 years old. Friends and colleagues established this scholarship in his memory. This award is open to seniors majoring in journalism with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, who are working or interning at a newspaper, have financial need and a career interest in newspapers.
Edward J. Meeman Award in Environmental Journalism
This award is given by the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism to the outstanding undergraduate student in environmental journalism. It is awarded each year to one or more students who have taken courses in environmental journalism.
Elizabeth Mangner Neil Overseas Study
Elizabeth Mangner Neil supported her grandson, Craig J. Gehring, in his six month overseas study experience to Yugoslavia when he attended MSU. The experience was a life changing event for him, giving him an understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Gehring established the Elizabeth Mangner Neil Overseas Study Scholarship for journalism undergraduates in honor of his grandmother. Application
W. Cameron Meyers Fellowship Fund
This award was created to honor W. Cameron Meyers, a longtime newspaper reporter and editor who taught at the J-School from 1952-1974. Those who had Professor Meyers were profoundly impacted by his demands for excellence, his memorable anecdotes and his view of the world and his profession, that of a journalist. He is a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. The award is given to a student based on financial need and potential talent and aptitude to succeed in a career in journalism.
Michigan Press Association Foundation Scholarship
The Michigan Press Association Foundation was created in 1980 to further the interests of community journalism in Michigan. The Foundation provides an annual scholarship to a worthy J-School student who shows outstanding promise and achievement. This award recognizes undergraduate journalism majors who have demonstrated superior leadership and reporting and writing ability for campus or professional media.
Richard Milliman Award
This scholarship recognizes the top students in the Capital News Service program. Milliman was the founding bureau chief of CNS, a pioneering effort that partnered J-School students with subscribers newspapers around the state to cover the capital. CNS was launched in the fall of 1981. Milliman was then president of the Milliman Newspaper Group. CNS bears the mark of his interest in state government and politics.
Outstanding Master's Student
The top Master's student receives this award based on the decision of the J-School faculty.
Cheryl McCarty Pell/Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Award
This award is named after the longtime executive director of MIPA and Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame member Cheryl Pell, a J-School faculty member, is in honor of her selfless dedication to improving scholastic journalism and fighting for student press rights. This scholarship is available to middle, junior and high school journalism teachers with five or fewer years of journalism advising who wish to take journalism classes at the J-School towards certification or a degree in journalism.
Robert Popa Scholarship
Robert Popa was a 1953 graduate of the J-School who launched his career as a copy editor at The Oakland Press. He left the paper for a two year military stint at the Stars and Stripes before returning to work as a reporter for The Detroit News. He left newspapers in 1972 to becoming the first press secretary to Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. He left that post to be the Director of Public Information for Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. He later became the Michigan press secretary for the Carter-Mondale campaign and launched a successful career in public relations. The scholarship was established by his many friends in the industry following his death in 1989. Juniors, seniors and Master’s students are eligible.
Professional Golf Writers Association of America
This is awarded to sophomores in the spring of even-numbered years. Applicants must be interested in a career in print journalism but not necessarily in sports writing. Grades, financial need and print media experience will be considered.
Serwach Leadership Award
Joe Serwach was a 1987 J-School graduate and The State News Editor in Chief from 1985-1986. For almost 20 years Serwach has donated funds to support his scholarship to help journalism students fulfill the best education possible. The Serwach Award recognizes undergraduate journalism majors who have demonstrated superior leadership and reporting and writing ability for campus or professional media. Application
Society for News Design/MSU Student Design Competition Award
Awarded to the top design students annually by the design faculty of the J-School.
Stan Soffin Scholarship
The longtime director of the J-School and currently MSU’s Ombudsman, Stan Soffin earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1964 (we do not hold that against him), a masters degree in Journalism from MSU in 1968 and his doctorate in American Studies from MSU in 1975. Soffin has worked as a high school teacher, an instructor at MSU’s School of Journalism, a reporter, and an editor. After serving 16 years as director of the School of Journalism, Soffin was appointed as University ombudsman of MSU in 1998. He is a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.This scholarship is awarded to a journalism major or master’s student who has completed at least 56 credits (including transfer credits) if an undergraduate student; or nine graduate-level credits at MSU if a graduate student; met minimum requirements for full-time student status; performed volunteer community service; demonstrated potential talent and aptitude in journalism by earning at least a 3.0 in JRN 200 and 300. Graduate students with professional media experience are exempt from this latter criterion.
Victor G. Spaniolo Scholarship
Victor G. Spaniolo was a graduate of Michigan State University and a well-established newspaper publisher in Michigan. Spaniolo and his four children, also graduates of MSU, all worked at The State News, the campus newspaper. Spaniolo later was a founding member and chair of the Board of Directors when the State News became an indepdent, non-profit corporation. His family established the Victor G. Spaniolo Scholarship in memory of their father. Applicants must have State News experience, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and possess exceptional character.
Ken Winter Scholarship
Ken Winter, the longtime editor of The Petoskey News Review and a J-School alumnus, established this scholarship to motivated and dedicated journalism juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher with a preference given to students considering a career in newspapers or print. Application
A J-School undergraduate in the turbulent 1960s, Kerbawy was editor of The State News, graduating in 1967. He earned his MBA in 1969. A member of the School’s Professional Advisory Council, he and his wife, Teri Fenner, are charter members of MSU’s Beaumont Tower Society. He established this scholarship to provide finanical assistance to a graduate student in journalism. Application
Knight Center for Environmental Journalism Service Award
This is an annual award given each year to one or more students who have made outstanding contributions to environmental journalism at MSU.
John Krieg Scholarship
A 1982 J-School graduate, John Krieg worked for a variety of small and mid-sized daily newspapers in Michigan. He worked for The State News as a copy editor and garnered numerous writing awards during his time on campus. He was news editor of the Morning Sun in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He died in an apartment fire in Mount Pleasant in 1984. He was just 23 years old. Friends and colleagues established this scholarship in his memory. This award is open to seniors majoring in journalism with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, who are working or interning at a newspaper, have financial need and a career interest in newspapers.
Edward J. Meeman Award in Environmental Journalism
This award is given by the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism to the outstanding undergraduate student in environmental journalism. It is awarded each year to one or more students who have taken courses in environmental journalism.
Elizabeth Mangner Neil Overseas Study
Elizabeth Mangner Neil supported her grandson, Craig J. Gehring, in his six month overseas study experience to Yugoslavia when he attended MSU. The experience was a life changing event for him, giving him an understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Gehring established the Elizabeth Mangner Neil Overseas Study Scholarship for journalism undergraduates in honor of his grandmother. Application
W. Cameron Meyers Fellowship Fund
This award was created to honor W. Cameron Meyers, a longtime newspaper reporter and editor who taught at the J-School from 1952-1974. Those who had Professor Meyers were profoundly impacted by his demands for excellence, his memorable anecdotes and his view of the world and his profession, that of a journalist. He is a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. The award is given to a student based on financial need and potential talent and aptitude to succeed in a career in journalism.
Michigan Press Association Foundation Scholarship
The Michigan Press Association Foundation was created in 1980 to further the interests of community journalism in Michigan. The Foundation provides an annual scholarship to a worthy J-School student who shows outstanding promise and achievement. This award recognizes undergraduate journalism majors who have demonstrated superior leadership and reporting and writing ability for campus or professional media.
Richard Milliman Award
This scholarship recognizes the top students in the Capital News Service program. Milliman was the founding bureau chief of CNS, a pioneering effort that partnered J-School students with subscribers newspapers around the state to cover the capital. CNS was launched in the fall of 1981. Milliman was then president of the Milliman Newspaper Group. CNS bears the mark of his interest in state government and politics.
Outstanding Master's Student
The top Master's student receives this award based on the decision of the J-School faculty.
Cheryl McCarty Pell/Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Award
This award is named after the longtime executive director of MIPA and Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame member Cheryl Pell, a J-School faculty member, is in honor of her selfless dedication to improving scholastic journalism and fighting for student press rights. This scholarship is available to middle, junior and high school journalism teachers with five or fewer years of journalism advising who wish to take journalism classes at the J-School towards certification or a degree in journalism.
Robert Popa Scholarship
Robert Popa was a 1953 graduate of the J-School who launched his career as a copy editor at The Oakland Press. He left the paper for a two year military stint at the Stars and Stripes before returning to work as a reporter for The Detroit News. He left newspapers in 1972 to becoming the first press secretary to Detroit Mayor Coleman Young. He left that post to be the Director of Public Information for Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. He later became the Michigan press secretary for the Carter-Mondale campaign and launched a successful career in public relations. The scholarship was established by his many friends in the industry following his death in 1989. Juniors, seniors and Master’s students are eligible.
Professional Golf Writers Association of America
This is awarded to sophomores in the spring of even-numbered years. Applicants must be interested in a career in print journalism but not necessarily in sports writing. Grades, financial need and print media experience will be considered.
Serwach Leadership Award
Joe Serwach was a 1987 J-School graduate and The State News Editor in Chief from 1985-1986. For almost 20 years Serwach has donated funds to support his scholarship to help journalism students fulfill the best education possible. The Serwach Award recognizes undergraduate journalism majors who have demonstrated superior leadership and reporting and writing ability for campus or professional media. Application
Society for News Design/MSU Student Design Competition Award
Awarded to the top design students annually by the design faculty of the J-School.
Stan Soffin Scholarship
The longtime director of the J-School and currently MSU’s Ombudsman, Stan Soffin earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1964 (we do not hold that against him), a masters degree in Journalism from MSU in 1968 and his doctorate in American Studies from MSU in 1975. Soffin has worked as a high school teacher, an instructor at MSU’s School of Journalism, a reporter, and an editor. After serving 16 years as director of the School of Journalism, Soffin was appointed as University ombudsman of MSU in 1998. He is a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.This scholarship is awarded to a journalism major or master’s student who has completed at least 56 credits (including transfer credits) if an undergraduate student; or nine graduate-level credits at MSU if a graduate student; met minimum requirements for full-time student status; performed volunteer community service; demonstrated potential talent and aptitude in journalism by earning at least a 3.0 in JRN 200 and 300. Graduate students with professional media experience are exempt from this latter criterion.
Victor G. Spaniolo Scholarship
Victor G. Spaniolo was a graduate of Michigan State University and a well-established newspaper publisher in Michigan. Spaniolo and his four children, also graduates of MSU, all worked at The State News, the campus newspaper. Spaniolo later was a founding member and chair of the Board of Directors when the State News became an indepdent, non-profit corporation. His family established the Victor G. Spaniolo Scholarship in memory of their father. Applicants must have State News experience, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and possess exceptional character.
Ken Winter Scholarship
Ken Winter, the longtime editor of The Petoskey News Review and a J-School alumnus, established this scholarship to motivated and dedicated journalism juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher with a preference given to students considering a career in newspapers or print. Application
Many scholarships and awards are available to Journalism students.