CIS Scholarships and Endowments
College-Wide
Clarence E. and Edna Horn Johnson Endowed Scholarship
Students may be undergraduate or graduate students in the College; must demonstrate financial need, and be graduates of a high school located in Pike, Letcher, Harlan or Floyd Counties in Kentucky. The student must write a letter explaining their interest in and qualifications for the scholarship and how receiving the scholarship will help you to continue your education.
College of Communication and Information Scholarship Fund
Established in 1990, these scholarships are awarded to two juniors and two seniors that demonstrate the potential for academic success and show need for financial assistance
Jack Guthrie Kentucky Kernel Editor’s Scholarship
This fund supports the incoming editor(s) of the Kentucky Kernel each year. The scholarship is awarded in equal halves. The editor is selected each year by the Kentucky Kernel Board of Directors.
iNET Program Fund
The Fund supports the activities of the iNET hosted by the Collage. Can be used for activities such as the Summer High School I-Academy, the Entrepreneur-in-Residence, the Colloquia Television Series, the Venture Challenge or other student competitions, workshops or conferences, program speakers for student workshops and conferences, student travel, and scholarships.
O'Hair Fund for Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The O'Hair Fund for Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be awarded annually to an undergraduate student who is enrolled in the iNET (Innovation Network for Entrepreneurial Thinking) Undergraduate Certificate Program in the College of Communications and Information Studies; has a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.25 when applying for the award; has a demonstrated interest in Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and has partnered with a faculty member in the iNET Certificate Program or a faculty member of one of iNET's University of Kentucky academic partners to develop a business plan, develop an idea that cultivates entrepreneurial thinking, or have been involved in developing an idea to meld research and practice. This will be available spring 2013.
Shirley Rose Scholarship
This fund supports a full-time adult learner. An adult learner is defined by the endowment as a student who has responsibilities other than those of a traditional student (i.e. is a single parent or employed full-time). A 500-word essay is required describing your status as an adult learner. Student must show financial need. The scholarship honors Shirley Rose, a 40-year UK employee and undergraduate advisor for the college. Rose retired in 2001.
Intercollegiate Debate
Henry Clay Alumni Debate
Funds can be used to support scholarships.
Tournament of Champions Charitable Fund
Fund supports activities of the annual Tournament of Champions and can be used for fee reductions for participating teams, the annual Breakfast of Champions event, meals for competitors, and academic scholarships for champions, travel grants, and an annual J.W. Patterson Policy Debate Scholarship to the TOC Policy Debate Champion and the Second Place TOC Policy Debate Team.
J.W. Patterson Tournament of Champions Policy Debate Scholarship Fund
Funds are awarded annually to the TOC Policy Debate Champion and to the Second Place TOC Policy Debate Team.
Graduate Program in Communication
Bruce H. Westley Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a graduate student who shows excellence in mass communication theory and research. The scholarship honors the memory of Bruce H. Westley, a former professor in the College and director of the School of Journalism and Telecommunications.
Carozza Graduate Fund for Excellence in Health Communication
This fund was established by Michael Carozza, (CIS/’77). This fund supports a fellowship for graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence; leadership traits; and intends to pursue a career in Health Communication or to provide support to doctoral students interested in Health Communication Research at UK. Michael created this award in honor of his father and his brother both named Anthony V. Carozza.
NEW--Dorothy M. Carozza Memorial Fellowship Fund
The fellowship(s) shall be awarded to students who: Are enrolled as a graduate student in the College of Communication and Information Graduate Program in Communication; Are engaged in research with an emphasis on cancer control and/or cancer communication; with particular attention being given to those students already working in collaboration with research on cancer control or cancer communication with faculty in the College of Communication and Information, the Markey Cancer Center or other UK Medical Center programs; Apply through an advertised application process and are then selected by the Dorothy M. Carozza Memorial Fellowship Fund Selection Committee. Applications will be advertised in October and a recipient will be selected in November.
Martha and Howard Sypher Memorial Graduate Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a graduate student in Communications whose emphasis is in interpersonal, organizational, or mass communication research, or who, in the opinion of the Scholarship Committee, has demonstrated through past performance academic excellence. The scholarship honors the memory of Martha and Howard Sypher.
Palmgreen Fellowship Fund
This Fund was established in honor of his retirement in spring 2012 from the College. The Fellowship shall be awarded to a student enrolled in the College's Graduate Program in Communication; whose major focus is health communication; has shown a commitment to excellence in the program; and has been significantly involved in health communication and research--preferably research-related to health communication campaigns.
R. Lewis Donohew Graduate Fellowship
This fellowship 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.
School of Journalism and Telecommunications
Adam Altman Award for Innovation in Communications
This scholarship honors the memory of Adam Altman, a former student in the school and son of ISC Professor Dennis Altman. The scholarship is awarded to a declared Journalism, ISC or Telecommunications major who exhibits creativity in the discipline.
AT&T Kentucky Scholarship
This fund was established in 2006. The scholarship is awarded to students who are presently enrolled in the program and have declared a major in Telecommunications. A 500-word essay is required. The essay topic is determined each year and is available on the application.
Bernie Vonderheide Scholarship in Public Relations
This fund was established in 2005 to honor Bernie Vonderheide. Bernie Vonderheide spent 23 years of his public relations career speaking on behalf of the University of Kentucky. The scholarship is open to students who demonstrate an interest in Public Relations as a career and has reporting experience either on or off campus. A 500-word essay is required. The essay should cover this topic, "Public relations professionals play a vital role in representing government programs and activities to the news media. At the same time, PR professionals also can help governmental officials understand the critical role journalists play in a democracy, and how they go about fulfilling that role. Please describe the specific role you believe a public relations professional in government should take in helping officials and journalists interact in a meaningful way, and this help both serve the public interest."
Bill Billiter Memorial Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship honors the memory of William O. Billiter, a successful journalist and UK graduate who built a distinguished career in Journalism. Billiter wrote for the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Winchester Sun and the Los Angeles Times. The scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen that is a declared pre-Journalism major. The applicant must show financial need and must have the desire for a career in Journalism.
Carol Sutton Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship 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 Carol Sutton, the first woman to head a major American newspaper when she became managing editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal in 1974.
Dan Rather Endowed Broadcast Journalism Scholarship
This scholarship supports broadcast journalism students and is open to juniors entering the broadcast journalism sequence. Applicants must have a cumulative 3.2 GPA: completed or must agree to take six hours of broadcast journalism; schedule an internship at a broadcast facility during their senior year; and submit a 1,000-word statement describing their interest and commitment to broadcast journalism.
David Dick "What a Great Story!," Storytelling Fund
This scholarship was established in October 2010 in honor of David B. Dick, former CBS News correspondent, accomplished author, full professor and former director of the UK School of Journalism and Telecommunications. The recipient of the scholarship is selected by a Scholarship Committee. Good storytelling in journalism is defined as follows: good storytelling presents a narrative with a beginning, middle and end; engages a reader or listener through a compelling idea; incorporates dialogue, narrative and suspense; is accurate and unbiased. The student must be journalism major, have published or completed their work through student media, as part of a student internship or at any recognized media outlet; and the student may self-nominate or be nominated by any UK faculty or staff member.
Diane Massie ISC Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2011. When fully endowed, the scholarship will be available to a student in the Integrated Strategic Communication program who is a junior or senior with at least a 3.2 G.P.A. in the major. To be eligible, the student must be a resident of Kentucky and submit a 500-word essay on their career plans and how those relate to the student’s chosen path in the Integrated Strategic Communication major.
Edith J. and Charles G. Dickerson Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship supports deserving students in the Journalism school who exhibit academic excellence and show professional promise. The scholarship honors the memory of Edith J. and Charles G. Dickerson.
James C. Bowling Scholarship
This scholarship honors the memory of James C. Bowling, a renowned public relations executive who established a very successful career with Philip Morris, Inc. The scholarship is awarded to a senior ISC student that represents the attributes of Mr. Bowling and plans to enter the business world of public relations.
JAT General Excellence Scholarship
This fund supports students that exhibit academic excellence and dedication to a career in the mass media and communication industries.
Jeremy M. Streck Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship supports ISC majors that are enrolled full-time in the College; show professional promise; demonstrate the characteristics of desire, education, and determination and/or exhibit economic need, and/or are walk-on student athletes at UK participating in an equivalency sport that is not fully funded. The scholarship was created in memory of Jeremy Streck, a 1999 ISC graduate and UK student athlete.
Joe Hirsch Scholarship
This scholarship honors Joe Hirsch, the renowned, award-winning Daily Racing Form executive columnist whose distinguished career 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.
Joe W. Quinn Prize in Journalism
This scholarship 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.
John D. Chaplin Scholarship
This scholarship honors the memory of John D. Chaplin, a Lexington radio personality whose on-air name was Herb Oscar Kent. The fund supports incoming freshmen or returning UK undergraduates who declare his/her major in 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.
L. Niel Plummer Scholarship
This fund supports students 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.
Lt. Col. Charles Richardson DeSpain Journalism Award
This award supports a sophomore, junior or senior Journalism major who has demonstrated academic excellence and shows promise. The award was established by the late Mrs. Daysie DeSpain in memory of her son.
Maria Braden Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship honors the memory of Maria Braden, a UK journalism professor for 21 years who died on July 20, 2004. This scholarship is offered to both pre-journalism and journalism majors. Braden is a member of the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame (2004).
N.M. Webb Journalism Award
This award provides a plaque or a monetary award 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.
Rick Roth Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2006 to honor the memory of Rick 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 the School's Integrated Strategic Communication 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. You must write an essay of no more than 500 words that explains in detail which of the traits listed previously you believe you most embody, how you have shown the trait and why you feel you possess this trait. The student must also be actively involved in Competition Team, Ad Club or the UK Student Advertising Agency; if none are eligible then all other students that apply will be considered.
Ryans Family Scholarship
This scholarship supports students who plan to pursue a career in Journalism with a primary focus on Business with preference given to a student interested in technical publication writing. Applicant should be a senior journalism major with preference will be given to Kentucky resident. The student must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be in good academic standing with the School of Journalism and Telecommunications. The scholarship honors the memory of Robert C. Ryans, a UK 1964 Journalism graduate and technical publications writer and Alta M. and John K. Ryans, Sr.
Sam Abell and Dick Ware Photojournalism Scholarship
This scholarship honors Sam Abell, a UK graduate, Kentuckian yearbook editor and retired National Geographic photographer and his mentor, friend and fellow photographer, Dick Ware, who passed away in 1986. This scholarship is awarded to a declared Journalism major who demonstrates an interest in the field of photojournalism.
Sheehey and Associates Educational Advancement Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student who has completed their junior year as an ISC major and meets the ISC internship pre-requisites set by the School. The student must also complete a summer internship.
Sy Ramsey Reporting and Writing Award
This award is given to students that are full-time juniors or seniors and have demonstrated excellence in writing. It is the donors request that one print and one broadcast award be awarded. Students are asked to submit original work in support of their entry. The award honors the memory of Sy Ramsey, a Frankfort State Capitol correspondent for Associated Press for 21 years.
Tall Grass Farm Foundation Graduate Fellowship/Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues Endowed Fund for Excellence
This fellowship is part of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues 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. A rural female graduate student in the College shall be considered and if none are eligible, then any graduate student in the College who has an interest in rural journalism may apply.
The Jesse R. and Virginia K. Grisham Scholarship
This 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. If none are eligible the scholarship can be awarded to any student who resides in a county in Western Kentucky. The donor has defines those counties as Ballard, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fulton, Graves, Hancock, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Logan, Marshall, McCracken, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Todd, Trigg, Union and, Webster. This scholarship 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 Judith G. Clabes Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the Scripps Howard Foundation in 2008 in honor of Judy Clabes service to the Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to a declared upper-division major (preferably print), who has 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.