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Scholarships

The department offers several scholarships each year for junior and senior level students who are admitted to the Mass Communications major, show promise in their sequence through coursework and activities and have need. A faculty committee reviews applications each spring and scholarships are awarded at a year-end banquet. Scholarship awards vary but most are at least $500.

Mass Communications Scholarships

Mass Communications Faculty Recognition Diversity Scholarship (new)
For years, the scholarship committee has dreamed of 100% mass communications faculty support for our best incentive program, namely putting our money figuratively where our mouths are.  With persistence of old-school reporter now chairman Mark Mills, that goal was almost reached for the first time this spring.  Based upon the confidential faculty pledges, this scholarship will be more impressive next year.  Based upon the cash available and some creative borrowing from the general fund, an inaugural $750 award will go to a mass communications major who shows great promise and contributes to the diversity at SCSU.  Need may be a factor. 

Faculty Commitment Scholarship (High Impact Training) (one-timer)
“Dear Roger, Thank you for selecting HIT for your senior seminar ad project last year.  With all their hard work, your students provided our company with an immense amount of insight.  We have and we will continue to implement their ideas into both our short and long term marketing campaigns . . .....”  So wrote HIT president Mark Geller in an Oct. 18, 2007, letter to Prof. Rudolph.  It’s a great testimony to a collaborative effort between academia and the real world typical of our department.  Geller’s letter included a $500 “token of our company’s appreciation.” 

“REB Day” TV Production Scholarship
One of the department’s newest scholarships comes compliments of three recent mass communications graduates. In true traditional SCSU style, Ryan Buonamia ’04, Erin Clemens ’05 and Beth Olson ’05 conceived the REB Day at MC’s Dugout Bar & Grill using a convenient, time-honored note-taking technique:  jotting notes on a bar napkin.  The threesome -- desirous of “giving something back” to their alma mater –- has now pledged $500 for the third year. The winner of this scholarship must be majoring in TV production. (How did the scholarship get its name?  Hint: see the first letters of first names of donors!)

Robert D. Fuller Mass Communications Flexible Endowed Scholarship (renewed, first award)
This is going to be a good relationship!  Truth be told, many of us in the scholarship world had no idea what the “Fuller” listing was on our records since the late 1980s -- probably a lapse in communication.  IT’S BACK AND READY TO ROCK.  Bob Fuller’s ground-breaking electronic design and unique equipment engineering enterprises headquartered in the Twin Cities are hallmarks of a career that included serving as chairman of Slide Shooters, Inc., a production house Bob founded with his sons, and as president of Creative Center, Inc., a movie picture motivational production company.  Funds remained dormant from start-up contributions from friends and colleagues.  But the big boost came from a great 80th birthday party for Bob last summer that put the Fuller on the map.  It was a great party, and we appreciate the designation of our department as the recipient of the largesse in Bob’s honor. This year a $500 inaugural award will go to a promising SCSU TV production or documentary major who shows talent and need.

Arch & Amy Pease Mass Communication Scholarships
Three scholarships in the amount this year of $630 each were established and endowed by Col. Arch Pease and his wife, Amy, of Coon Rapids, both of whom have now died. Arch Pease became editor of the Anoka County Union in 1947 and was publisher of ABC Newspapers since 1955.  He wrote a weekly column, "Pease Porridge," for his readers for more than 30 years.  That's more than 2,000 columns.  He was active in the Minnesota Newspaper Association and the Minnesota Press Club, and he served as president of both organizations.
Amy Pease was an active civic leader. The Pease scholarships are generally, but not always, awarded to journalism or advertising students.

Carol Loberg 4th Cavalry Endowed Scholarships
This year three Loberg Scholarships are valued at $500 each.  The members of the 4th Cavalry of World War II have endowed this scholarship in memory of the late wife of former Annandale Advocate publisher Myloe J. Loberg, who was member of this unit.  Each year, this group of veterans from all across the country contributes to this fund, which now totals more than $15,000.

Fran & Mil Voelker Endowed Mass Comm Scholarship
This scholarship is a growing endowment intended for a student who excels in mass communications academically and excels or shows great promise in extracurricular activities.  Reflective of the service of Fran and Mil Voelker to our university, the community and this department, this award has special meaning to SCSU faculty and alumni.  This year the Voelker value is $1,000.

The Magic Fund Mass Communications Scholarship
Long-time adjunct professor Michael Larson has decided to fund this $500 award for a third year. “My teaching opportunity has been a way for me to ‘give back’ to young people what my teachers, in school and in my journalism career, have given to me,” Larson said in a letter to the department.  Now retired from journalism to a writing lifestyle, the former St. Cloud Times sub-editor dubbed the new scholarship for deserving mass communications majors “The Magic Fund” in fond recollection of his years as editor of the Mankato Free Press (11) and Minot (N.D.) Daily News (3).  Here’s the connection:  Minot was called “the magic city” because it sprang up as if by magic when James J. Hill brought the railroad.  Larson’s newest book is named “There’s Magic All Around Us.”

Gannett Foundation—Times Media Don “Chief” Casey Scholarship
The folks at the St. Cloud Times occasionally have donated to SCSU student scholarships.  The newspaper’s long-standing support of the department and its journalism and ad sequences is admirable.  Now a concerted effort is in place to create an endowed award in honor of the career of executive editor Don “Chief” Casey, who is now an amateur golfer.   He is a long-time supporter of the SCSU student media as well as a SCSU Defense of the First Amendment Award winner.   With contributions and support from new executive editor John Bodette, publisher Bill Albrecht and the Gannett Corp., this $500 award is possible, and the endowment campaign is continuing.

Rick L. Groff Memorial Scholarship
This endowed scholarship was established by Renee Wyffels Groff in memory of her husband, who died in 1988.  Rick Groff, a SCSU news editorial major, had worked at newspapers in Annandale, St. Cloud and Marshall, Minn., commonly covering sports although he had varied interests.  The scholarship is intended for a mass communications news editorial major who demonstrates high journalism potential, leadership through involvement in extracurricular activities campus wide and/or who has financial need.  This year the Groff is valued at $600.

ECM Publishers’ Scholarship
This scholarship is named for the East Central Minnesota publisher of weekly newspapers, and in honor of former Minnesota Gov. Elmer Andersen, a renowned publisher and columnist.  The publishers have decided to help the Department of Mass Communications invest in one of its promising students, typically majoring in journalism or advertising.  It was established in 1997 in the amount of $300 in recognition of the department's agreement to judge the company's internal newspaper contest.  Last fall, Professor Michael Vadnie, Professor Dana Drazenovich, Professor Emeritus Richard Hill, adjunct professor Marty Sundvall, and St. Cloud Times Sports Editor Dave Deland judged the group's newspapers in categories mirroring the Minnesota Newspaper Association contest.  For their effort, ECM donated $500.

Sheila Wilken Kerber and Christine Vick Memorial Faculty Recognition Scholarship (new as blended)
This scholarship originally was endowed by family and friends of Sheila in memory of a promising public relations student who died in 1984.  Sheila is fondly remembered for her hard work in school and her kind demeanor. This year, the Kerber scholarship is blended with an occasional past scholarship presented in memory of another promising mass communications graduate who died in 1985. Christine was a student who showed initiative in her classes as a news editorial major.  She worked at Chronicle and was a popular teaching assistant.  After graduation, she showed her versatility as an advertising and public relations practitioner in the Twin Cities.  Now merged to carry Vick’s name yet retain the faculty prerogative, the scholarship committee wants to recognize students who have distinguished themselves through their academic performance and extracurricular initiative in any mass communications discipline. When possible, the faculty committee likes to award it to a promising and personable student majoring in public relations or advertising. The 2008 award is $500.

Barth Enterprises Mass Communications Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1998 by SCSU mass communications graduates Mark and Dan Barth, owners of Diversified Media Resources, Inc., Barth Enterprises and Pioneer Place on Fifth. Referred affectionately by department historians as the Barth Boys, Mark and Dan are well known for their internship and employment opportunities for motivated SCSU students.  The 2008 award is ­­in the amount of $500. The scholarship goes to a mass communications major, with preference to those majoring in TV production, public relations or television journalism.  Barth winners typically are chosen for their work ethic, team spirit and well- developed media skills.

Vadnelly Journalism Scholarship
2008 marks the fifth award of a $500 scholarship named after the blending of “Vadnie & Kilkelly.” Michael Vadnie has taught print journalism, media law and ethics at SCSU since 1981, while M.J. Kilkelly consistently has supported mass comm students behind the scenes. (It is simply an urban legend that M.J.’s name ever was “Nelly.”) Vadnie, proud also of his role as University Chronicle adviser since 1988, his status as an elected DUFE and as the senior faculty member, also has been the chairman of the scholarship committee since the late 1980s.  The winner of this honor must be a potential journalist who exhibits extracurricular, volunteer and leadership traits.

Voice of St. Cloud KVSC Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship, in the amount of $875 this year, is to be given to a student who has shown exceptional dedication in working in some area of our university's educational public radio station.  This year there is one winner.  Special consideration is given to student applicants who have shown promise in a managerial role or the potential to do so, as well as professional competence and interest.  Financial need is also considered.  The fund was established by former general manager Richard Hill, and it is maintained by his and other donations as well as by KVSC listeners.

Marge Herda Memorial Scholarship                          
The Herda Scholarship, this year in the amount of $1,000, often is awarded to a student who has faced significant health or financial challenges to complete a college degree. It goes to the student who excels   in the scholarship assessment process. The honor was conceived by Marge Herda, then with the PR division of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce, Joel Sutherland, then with the Twins’ publicity department and now owner of the St. Cloud River Bats of the Northwoods Baseball League, and Michael Vadnie, then and now their former professor. Marge battled M.S. and raised a daughter, during college.  Shortly after graduation, she learned she had leukemia -- and she was dying.  At a local watering hole following Media Day, someone said, “What about a scholarship for courageous or exceptional students?”  Marge responded, "I'd be pleased if it would go to someone who has succeeded in the face of adversity or someone with great promise who needs the money to finish school.” Naturally her wishes were memorialized on the Cantina’s bar napkin! This is one of our most coveted scholarships as our tribute to Marge's courage and unfulfilled professional promise.  Marge presented the first scholarship, by tape recording, from her hospice bed, to Tricia Bailey in 1987.  And for the third straight year, an anonymous donation has enhanced the amount available by $200-250. 

Jodi Huisentruit Endowed Scholarship
SCSU alumna and Iowa-based TV reporter Jodi Huisentruit was 27 years old when she was abducted.  In those short years, Jodi left a positive impression with everyone she met.  As one of her professors recalled, “Jodi's commitment to high standards, her ability to add a fresh perspective to journalism and her vivacious personality set her apart."  Jodi's family wishes to turn the tragedy of her disappearance into something positive.  Created through the generosity of family, friends and colleagues, this $1,000 scholarship will be awarded each year to a student who best emulates Jodi's enthusiasm for life. The scholarship will be funded through gifts collected and all future contributions.

DUFES Endowed Scholarship
Showing pride in their SCSU mass communications roots and in their memories of their college experiences, a group of alumni and their band of inductees offer this annual scholarship in a minimum amount of $750, but this year as $800.  In addition to the financial award, the honor includes membership in the vaunted, elite DUFES.  Such an extraordinary honor awaits a student who performs well in mass communications but “who does not take himself or herself too seriously.”  The DUFES statement of purpose is read each year at the time of award. 

Granite Broadcasting Corp. & KBJR-TV Diversity Scholarship
The candidate for this scholarship -- developed in 2007 and funded through 2009 -- must be an admitted mass communications major in the TV journalism or production sequences at the junior or senior level.  In addition to high academics and evidence of media competence, the donor desires special considerations be given for students who (1) have overcome obstacles such as socioeconomic or educational disadvantages or disabilities, or who are the first generation in their family to attend college, or (2) are members of groups that are underrepresented at the university.  This scholarship is awarded in the amount of $1,000.

E. Scott Bryce Mass Communications Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship was endowed by Stephanie Borden, a former student of Professor Emeritus E. Scott Bryce, in recognition of his generosity and warmth as a broadcast sequence professor.  This scholarship is reserved for a senior-level student who has faced significant personal adversity and overcome such adversity.  The committee reviewed personal statements or essays of candidates for these scholarships in a confidential setting before making the award, which was approved by Scott Bryce.  This recognition is intended to serve as an affirmation of overcoming one's personal or life challenges as well as the value of completing a university degree.  This year's Bryce winner will receive $1,400.

Doug Lee Memorial Scholarship (Conclave) (one timer)
The Doug Lee Memorial Scholarships were first announced at Doug's memorial service in early 1995. Doug founded the Conclave in 1976 with Bill Gavin & Dennis Becker. He was the first promotion person ever hired by Amos Heilicher to head up Heilicher Brothers independent distribution company in 1964. He then became the first regional promotion director for Warner-Elektra-Atlantic (WEA) leaving to do national promotion for RCA in New York. In 1974 Doug returned to the Midwest to establish Doug Lee Midwest Promotion. Doug Lee semi-retired to Montana in 1985 where he continued as a promoter and author until his death in 1994. Three in Minnesota Scholarships will be awarded in 2008, each valued at $1,500. Students must be enrolled in programs pursuing degrees within the fields of radio/TV broadcasting or journalism. Each year the awards are provided to college students in different states. In 2007 Conclave celebrated students and colleges in Illinois. One 2008 Doug Lee memorial scholarship will be awarded to a deserving SCSU student, according to Conclave’s selection.

National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation Scholarship (one timer)
The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) alerting us in early April that SCSU has been selected as one of 10 schools to participate in their Scholars Program for school years 2008-09 and 2009-10.  It wishes to provide a scholarship to one communications student beginning in his or her junior year and continuing through their senior year.  The award will be in the amount of $5,000 per year to support the cost of attendance for the student (tuition, books, room and board, etc.) and may not be used for administrative purposes.  This is a $10,000 award!  As a part of the scholarship, SCSU must help arrange for the recipient to perform an internship at a licensed radio or television station.  The scholarship is for a junior year student who has maintained good grades.  Preference will be made to women and students who add diversity to campus.

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

The SCSU Department of Mass Communications is committed to preserving and fostering diversity and complying with the equity guidelines set by the university.  At the department level, we recognize diversity in faculty, staff and students.
We strive to enhance the richness offered by this great variety of humankind.
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Previously awarded annual scholarships
(Administered by the Admissions Program)

Doyle L. Rose Scholars Fund

Doyle L. Rose graduated in 1972 from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and History.  From that point on, he skyrocketed in the radio business and in 1986 was appointed president of the Radio Division for Emmis Communications.  He has been the President of the Knowledge is Power Foundation and has chaired or sat on many boards in the communications industry. Rose was awarded the Service Award by the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and received the Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award from SCSU.  When asked for the most important idea that he received from SCSU, Rose stated that SCSU taught him to surround himself with good people and to hire for attitude, not just experience.
Criteria to be used for selection of scholarship recipients are:

• Demonstrated high academic ability in high school
• Graduate of a Minnesota high school
• Demonstrated financial need
• A student majoring in mass communications usually with an emphasis in Broadcast

This scholarship is awarded in the amount of $3,000 for four years.