College Scholarships and Fellowships
Sam Abell and Dick Ware Photojournalism Scholarship (JAT) honors Sam Abell, a UK graduate, Kentuckian yearbook alum and retired National Geographic photographer and his mentor, friend and fellow photographer, Dick Ware, who passed away in 1986. This scholarship supports a student(s) in the school who have a demonstrated interest in photojournalism. Abell was inducted in 1991 to the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
Adam Altman Award for Innovation in Communications (JAT) honors the memory of Adam Altman, a former student in the school. The fund supports an undergraduate with a declared major in Journalism, ISC or Telecommunications and who exhibits creativity in the discipline.
AT&T Kentucky Scholarship Fund (JAT) was established in 2006. The scholarship(s) is awarded to student(s) who are presently enrolled at the University and have declared a major in Telecommunications. A 500-word essay is required.
Bill Billiter Memorial Endowed Scholarship (JAT) honors the memory of William O. Billiter, a successful journalist and UK graduate who built a distinguished career in Journalism. The fund supports incoming freshmen that have declared Journalism as their major and show financial need.
Hallie Day Blackburn Scholarship Fund (SLIS) supports students that seek careers in public libraries. The award honors the late Hallie Day Blackburn who worked for many years for the Kentucky State Library.
James C. Bowling Executive-In-Residence Lecture Series (JAT) supports an outstanding senior ISC student that represents the attributes of Mr. Bowling and plans to enter the business world of public relations. It also provides funds for a nationally recognized public relations professional to visit the campus each year to work with students, faculty and other professionals in the community. The scholarship honors the memory of Mr. Bowling, a renowned public relations executive who established a very successful career with Philip Morris, Inc.
Maria Braden Endowed Scholarship Fund (JAT) honors Braden, a UK journalism professor for 21 years who died on July 20, 2004. Braden was a 2004 inductee to the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame. The scholarship is offered to both pre-journalism and journalism majors.
Williena Burdine Broyles Memorial Endowed Scholarship (SLIS) was established in 2004 by Marvin Burdine to honor his sister Williena, a librarian in the Somerset, Kentucky school system for 25 years. To be eligible for the award students must be from one of Kentucky's Appalachian counties (as defined by the ARC), demonstrate financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Need and be a major in Library Science.
Carozza Graduate Fund for Excellence in Health Communication (Graduate Program) was established by Michael Carozza, (CIS/’77) in the Graduate Program in Communication. This fund supports a fellowship for graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence; leadership traits; and intend to pursue a career in Health Communication or to provide support to doctoral students interested in Health Communication Research at UK.
John D. Chaplin Scholarship Fund (JAT) honors the memory of John D. Chaplin, a Lexington radio personality whose on-air name was Herb Oscar Kent. The fund supports incoming or returning UK undergraduates who declare his/her major the School of Journalism and Telecommunications. It is the donor's request that preference be given to a student who has been diagnosed with a certified disability (physical or learning); if none are eligible than all others who apply shall be considered. Students must have a 2.8 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must be residents of Kentucky and demonstrate financial need as determined by the Student Financial Aid Office.
The Clabes Family First Amendment Center Fund (JAT) was established by UK graduates Gene and Judy Clabes, both members of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame. The fund shall be used to support the general operations of the Scripps Howard First Amendment Center including scholarships, internships, student employment in the center, awards, materials, programs and events, and public education on the First Amendment. The Judith G. Clabes Scholarship is awarded from this fund.
The Judith G. Clabes Scholarship Fund was established by the Scripps Howard Foundation in 2008 in honor of Clabes service to the Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to declared upper-division major, preferably print, who have demonstrated through class work, internships, part-time work, or extra-curricular activities an exceptional understanding of and commitment to the importance of First Amendment advocacy and principles in the professional and civic life of a working journalist and/or of the vital relationship of these principles to the preservation of democracy. Students must submit an essay.
College of Communications and Information Studies Endowed Scholarship Fund (College-wide) was established in 1990 and is awarded to two juniors and two seniors that have demonstrated the potential for academic success and show need for financial assistance. An application is required and is available through the Office of the Dean, Room 105, Grehan Building, CAMPUS 0042.
Communication Fund for Excellence (Comm.) supports the Department’s student enrichment activities, honors conference, on-campus seminars, job placement activities, awards, scholarships and community service projects.
Department of Communication General Scholarship Fund (Comm.) is awarded to the Department’s outstanding junior and senior communication major and is based on academic merit and financial need.
Lt. Col. Charles Richardson DeSpain Journalism Award (JAT) supports sophomore, junior or senior Journalism majors who have demonstrated academic excellence and show promise. The award was established by the late Mrs. Daysie DeSpain in memory of her son.
Dickerson Trust Scholarship (JAT) supports deserving students in the Journalism school who exhibit academic excellence and professional promise. The scholarship honors the memory of Edith J. and Charles G. Dickerson.
R. Lewis Donohew Graduate Fellowship Fund (Graduate Program) is awarded to an incoming doctoral student who has received an assistantship and is focusing on behavioral communications, especially mass or health communication. Dr. Donohew retired from the UK in 1999, after nearly 35 years of service, during which time he worked tirelessly to promote and enhance the field of health communication.
John Thomas Durham Graduate Student Fund (SLIS) was established by Henry Durham to honor his son Thomas, a graduate (’97) of the School of Library and Information Science. Income from the fund is used to support and enrich the experiences of SLIS graduate student(s) working in the UK Libraries. Graduate student expenses may be partially or totally supported with the income from the Fund. Recipients of the Fund are selected by the Director of School in consultation with the UK Dean of Libraries.
Helen E. Fry Memorial Scholarship Award (SLIS) supports student scholarships. The scholarship honors the memory of Helen Fry a (’34) School of Library and Information Science graduate.
Graduate Student Development Fund (Graduate Program) funds current graduate students travel to professional meetings and the Graduate Student Association.
The Jesse R. and Virginia K. Grisham Scholarship Fund was established by Judy Clabes in honor of her parents and their abiding love for the University of Kentucky, their insatiable interest in the news and public affairs, and appreciation of the value of education. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who is a resident of Henderson County, Ky.; shows an interest in public affairs reporting; can demonstrate financial need; and is a declared pre-major or major in the School of Journalism and Telecommunications.
Joe Hirsch Scholarship (JAT) honors Joe Hirsch, the renowned, award-winning Daily Racing Form executive columnist who retired in 2003 after a distinguished career that spanned more than a half-century. Mr. Hirsch died in 2009. The scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman or continuing undergraduate who is interested in working in or pursuing a career in writing in the thoroughbred industry; has a high school GPA of at least 3.0 (undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8 if a continuing student); and who has financial need as determined by the School’s Scholarship Committee. The recipient will be expected to complete an internship at a thoroughbred racing journalism-related organization. This scholarship was established in 2005 by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Daily Racing Form.
JAT General Excellence Scholarship Fund supports students from all three majors that exhibit academic excellence and dedication to a career in mass media and communication industries.
Clarence & Edna Johnson Endowed Scholarship Fund (College-wide) provides scholarships for high school graduates of Pike, Letcher, Harlan or Floyd counties in Kentucky; are undergraduate or graduate students in CCIS; and demonstrate financial need. This scholarship was established by the J. David Johnson, the College’s current Dean in honor of his parents.
Vivian J. MacQuown Endowment Scholarship (SLIS) supports graduate students seeking Library Science degrees. The award honors the memory of MacQuown a retired UK faculty member.
J.A. McCauley Fund for Academic Excellence (JAT) supports Journalism, ISC and Telecommunications majors. Funds can be used for travel stipends, tuition scholarships or other student needs as determined by the selection committee. The fund honors the memory of “Mr. Mac” for his 30 years of service to the UK School of Journalism and its students. McCauley is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
L. Niel Plummer Scholarship Fund (JAT) supports students from all three majors that have demonstrated the potential for academic success. The award honors the memory of Dr. Plummer, director of the School of Journalism from 1940 to 1965. Plummer is also a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
Joe W. Quinn Prize in Journalism (JAT) supports sophomore Journalism majors. Selection is based on scholarship, promise and need. The award honors the memory of Quinn, a long-time writer for The Cincinnati Post and a former Kentucky Kernel editor.
Sy Ramsey Reporting and Writing Award (JAT) is awarded to students in all three majors that are juniors or seniors and have demonstrated excellence in writing. The award honors the memory of Ramsey, a Frankfort State Capitol correspondent for Associated Press for 21 years. Ramsey is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
Dan Rather Endowed Broadcast Journalism Scholarship (JAT) supports broadcast Journalism students and is open to juniors entering the Broadcast Journalism sequence.
Shirley Rose Scholarship Fund (College-wide) supports a full-time adult learner that demonstrates economic need. The scholarship honors Rose, a 40-year UK employee and undergraduate advisor in CCIS. Rose retired in 2001.
Rick Roth Memorial Scholarship Fund (JAT) was established in 2006 to honor the memory of Roth, who taught for 15 years in the School. The fund was created by three former students to honor this "student's teacher." Roth pioneered JAT's Integrated Strategic Communications program. The program combines advertising, public relations, direct marketing and sales promotion. The scholarship is awarded to students who are pre-majors or majors in ISC; demonstrate the qualities embodied by Professor Roth of tenacity, determination, commitment, leadership, service and involvement
Ryans Family Endowment (JAT) supports students interested in technical publication writing. The scholarship honors the memory of Robert Ryans, a Journalism alum and technical publications writer.
Theodore E. Schulte Memorial Scholarship Fund (JAT) supports an outstanding ISC major. The award honors the memory of Schulte, an associate professor of Advertising in the School of Journalism and Telecommunications for nine years.
Sheehey and Associates Educational Advancement Scholarship (JAT) is awarded annually to a student who has completed their junior year as an ISC major. The student must also complete a summer internship.
SLIS Alumni Endowed Fund (SLIS) provides one or more scholarships to graduate students who are enrolled in the School and show a need for financial assistance.
SLIS Endowed Graduate Fellowship Fund (SLIS) supports graduate fellowships based on qualifications.
Jeremy M. Streck Memorial Scholarship Fund (JAT) supports ISC majors that show professional promise demonstrate the characteristic of desire, education and determination and may exhibit economic need. The scholarship was created in memory of Jeremy, a (’99) ISC graduate and UK student athlete.
Carol Sutton Endowed Scholarship (JAT) is awarded to students with strong writing skills, high academic standards, interest in a Journalism career through work on campus and is a declared Journalism major. The scholarship honors the memory of Sutton, the first woman to head a major American newspaper when she became managing editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal in 1974. Sutton is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
Sypher Memorial Graduate Scholarship Fund (Graduate Program) is awarded to graduate student who shows excellence in interpersonal, organizational, or mass communication research. The scholarship honors the memory of Martha and Howard Sypher.
Tall Grass Farm Foundation Graduate Fellowship/Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues Endowed Fund for Excellence (JAT) is part of the IRJCI Endowment. The fellowship recipient is determined by the Director of the School of Journalism and Telecommunications, the Director of the IRJCI, and the Associate Dean for the Graduate Program in Communication in CCIS. A rural female graduate student in CCIS shall be considered and if none are eligible, then any graduate student in CCIS who has an interest in rural journalism may apply. This fund was established by Lois Mateus, the recipient of the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Relations.
Melody Trosper Award (SLIS) is awarded annually to a graduate student in SLIS for excellence in scholarship, leadership and service. This fund honors the memory of Trosper. She completed her SLIS degree in 1980 and shortly afterwards was killed in an automobile accident.
N.M. Webb Journalism Award Fund (JAT) provides a plaque to an outstanding Journalism major from Eastern Kentucky. The award honors the memory of Webb, who was the founder of the Mountain Eagle newspaper in Whitesburg, Ky. Webb is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
Bruce H. Westley Memorial Scholarship Fund (Graduate Program) is awarded to a graduate student who shows excellence in mass communication theory and research. The scholarship honors the memory of Westley, a former professor in the College and director of the School of Journalism and Telecommunications.
Bernie Vonderheide Scholarship in Public Relations (JAT) was established in 2005 to honor Bernie Vonderheide. Vonderheide spent 23 years of his public relations career speaking on behalf of the University of Kentucky. The scholarship is open to any ISC major that has demonstrated an interest in Public Relations as a career and has reporting experience either on or off campus. A 500-word essay is required. Vonderheide received the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Relations.