Awards & Scholarships
Applications for the 2023 School of Communication scholarships are now open! Please review the scholarship sections by major or interest group area below and submit applications using the forms linked below.
Unless otherwise noted, Seniors graduating in May and August 2023 are not eligible for scholarships.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Guidelines for Applicants
While each scholarship offered through the School of Communication has its own specific requirements, a competitive scholarship application generally includes the following:
- An applicant resume: A summary of the awards, achievements and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the specific scholarship for which you are applying.
- A personal essay or statement of purpose: A one-page explanation of your purpose in applying for this specific scholarship. What makes you a particularly worthy candidate? What goals are you working toward, both during your time at ISU and after graduation? How will receiving this scholarship help you to attain these goals?
- Letters of recommendation. While letters from your communication professors are always welcome, you should think about including recommendations from those outside the School as well. Internship supervisors, work managers, those familiar with your efforts as a volunteer, and professors from other departments will be able to discuss your qualities as a student, employee and/or work professional, and will make your application even more competitive.
Each scholarship offered through the School also has a specific set of qualifications for applicants, including area of study, year in school, and student GPA. Applicants who do not meet these qualifications will not be considered for the award. All scholarship awards are applied through Financial Aid to your student account on the 10th day of the Fall semester following the School of Communication COM Week Awards Ceremony. No checks are awarded to recipients by the School or Foundation. To determine the impact of a scholarship on your financial aid package, please contact your Financial Aid Officer. Scholarship awards will not be applied to your student account until a thank you letter to the scholarship donor is received in the School of Communication office and all scholarship requirements have been met. Unless otherwise noted, these scholarships are not available for graduating seniors. The philosophy of the ISU Foundation, the ISU office that works with scholarships, has been that student scholarships should apply to school expenses at ISU, and thus should not be awarded the semester a student is graduating. To bring the School of Communication in line with that philosophy, starting spring, 2014, graduating seniors will not be eligible to receive these scholarships.
Baldwin Scholarship Fund
Background: The Dr. John Baldwin Leadership Award celebrates the faculty of Illinois State University and specifically, the School of Communication. The award honors Dr. John Baldwin, a professor in the School of Communication, who like many of his colleagues, teaches students the value of scholarship and charity in service to the university community. The award recognizes student leaders who demonstrate a similar commitment to the university, their peers, and their own education.
Requirements:
- Academic good standing in the School of Communication
- Minimum GPA of 3.25/4.0 in the School of Communication
- Demonstrated academic achievement as evidenced by a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
- Demonstrated leadership in Illinois State University's community & the School of Communication
- Submit one letter of recommendation stating the student's qualifications
- Submit an updated resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how you demonstrated outstanding leadership in the School of Communication at Illinois State University.
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Lloyd and Mary Watkins Endowed Communication Studies Scholarship Fund
Background: The Lloyd and Mary Watkins fund was originally established in 1988 by a gift from Champion Federal Savings and Loan, headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois to honor former President and First Lady, Lloyd and Mary Watkins. At the request of Dr. Watkins, the purpose of the fund was changed to support scholarships in the School of Communication.
Requirements:
- Undergraduate student majoring in communication studies
- Enrolled in academic good standing in the School of Communication
- Experience and training in interpersonal/public address/speaking and leadership
- Applicants must posses a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
- A strong commitment to the study and practice of communication
- Demonstrated creativity
- Submit a resume
- Submit a one-page essay summarizing what the recipient has learned regarding how a vibrant communicator can better the lives of others through their communication knowledge, skills and experience
- Submit one letter of recommendation
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
More information about Speech and Debate Scholarships can be found at:
Baldwin Scholarship Fund
Background: The Dr. John Baldwin Leadership Award celebrates the faculty of Illinois State University and specifically, the School of Communication. The award honors Dr. John Baldwin, a professor in the School of Communication, who like many of his colleagues, teaches students the value of scholarship and charity in service to the university community. The award recognizes student leaders who demonstrate a similar commitment to the university, their peers, and their own education.
Requirements:
- Academic good standing in the School of Communication
- Minimum GPA of 3.25/4.0 in the School of Communication
- Demonstrated academic achievement as evidenced by a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
- Demonstrated leadership in Illinois State University's community & the School of Communication
- Submit one letter of recommendation stating the student's qualifications
- Submit an updated resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how you demonstrated outstanding leadership in the School of Communication at Illinois State University.
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Doris Dungey Endowed Scholarship
Background: Doris Dungey was known as "Tan Ta" to her family, friends and readers. Tan Ta spent most of her life working as a mortgage banker while her true passion was writing. She has a unique balance of humor, a passion for delving into the details, an understanding of people and a strong sense of human decency. Tan Ta displayed an instant recognizable writing style filled with spirit, insight and literary illusions; this continues to attract, inform and entertain readers from a wide variety of backgrounds. She enjoyed interacting with her readers and was a generous teacher, touching many lives through her work.
Requirements:
- Enrolled in academic good standing in the School of Communication
- Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- A declared major in journalism, mass media, or production
- Demonstrated financial need
- Work, volunteer and/or extracurricular experience (special emphasis for work on high school newspapers, yearbook or related experience)
- Award must be used for educational expenses
- Submit one resume
- Submit one sample of published writing or a graded essay along with a brief description of why it was chosen
- Submit a one-page essay of why the recipient is interested in pursuing a career in journalism
- Submit one letter of recommendation
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Harry and Jo Thiel "Red Line" Scholarship
Background: The Harry and Jo Thiel "Redline" Scholarship was established in 2015 in honor of Harry, The Vidette General Manager from 1976 - 1996, and his wife, Jo, who together guided countless Vidette staffers in journalism and life. The "Red Line: refers to the enduring and endearing red pen Harry used to provide journalistic tutelage to all Vidette staffers who servied during his extremely influential ISU career. Harry's red pen taught many as much about reporting and writing as any other journalistic experience.
Eric Hoss Vidette Scholarship
Background: Eric Hoss, alumnus of The Vidette, has established a fund to support activities, scholarships, programs, professional development, and operations associated with The Vidette and the School of Communication. The fund supports an annual $1,000 scholarship providing financial assistance for students on staff at The Vidette.
Requirements:
- Student must be on staff at The Vidette
- Student must have exhibited journalistic excellence over the course of the academic year, and will be selected by the Director of the School of Comunication and the General Manager of The Vidette
- Open to students at any grade level, including Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, and Graduate students.
Iola Stoops Juarez Endowed Journalism Scholarship
Background: This award was created to assist in the education of an undergraduate journalism student who works at the ISU newspaper, the Vidette.
Requirements:
- Enrolled in academic good standing in the School of Communication
- Undergraduate student in the School of Communication at Illinois State University
- A declared journalism major
- Member of the Vidette staff
- Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Demonstrated financial need
- Submit one resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how your experiences in the School of Communication at Illinois State University will help you make a difference in the journalism profession
- Submit one letter of recommendation
- Scholarship funds must be used for educational expenses
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Kelly Seaton Memorial Scholarship Fund
Background: the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation (IBF) memorializes Kelly Seaton through this annual award of $1,000.
Requirements:
- The student must be enrolled as a journalism or mass media major.
- The student must be at the grade level of junior or senior.
Martin F. Duffy Scholarship Fund in Communication
Background: To memorialize their friend and colleague employees at USG Corporation, along with members of Marty's family, established the Martin F. Duffy Scholarship Fund in Communication.
Requirements:
- A major in the School of Communication, preferably journalism major, with a minimum of 60 credit hours
- Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Scholarship funds must be used for educational expenses
- Submit one resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how your experiences in the School of Communication at Illinois State University will help you make a difference in the journalism profession.
- Submit one letter of recommendation
- Preference will be given to students who wish to pursue a career in print journalism
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Pantagraph Endowed Scholarship
Background: In support of the ISU Campaign of Defining "Normal", the Pantagraph made a five year (2004-2009) $25,000 gift commitment designated to the School of Communication. An endowed scholarship named in honor of the Pantagraph has been established to provide educational support to students preparing for professional work as journalists and/or in the area of Mass Communication.
Requirements:
- Enrolled in academic good standing at Illinois State University
- Declared major within the School of Communication
- Must have completed at least one semester as a full time graduate student or be a full time undergraduate student with a minimum of 60 earned credited hours
- Demonstrated strong academic achievement
- Applicants must possess a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Display leadership and a sincere interest in journalism as evidenced by participation in organizations as approved by the School of Communication
- Submit a resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how your experiences in the School of Communication at Illinois State University will help you make a difference in the journalism profession
- Submit one letter of recommendation
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Randy Salerno Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Background: This fund is established by an initial gift of $25,000 from the Randy Salerno foundation. Additional fundraising will be done by the School of Communication at ISU through contacts with alumni, faculty and friends who knew and appreciated Randy's dedication to excellence in broadcast journalism.
Requirements:
- Enrolled in academic good standing at Illinois State University
- A full-time undergraduate student with a minimum of 30 earned credit hours
- A declared major of broadcast journalism
- Demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid based on the information provided on the student's FAFSA form
- Submit one updated resume
- Submit a one-page essay demonstrating career goals and reflecting his/her interest in a career in broadcast journalism
- Submit one letter of recommendation
- Funds must be used for educational expenses
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Vicki Lynn Kelley Broadcast Journalism Scholarship
Background: The Vicki Lynn Kelley Endowed Scholarship Fund will support undergraduate students studying communication with a preference to those pursuing careers in radio journalism. It is the donor's wish that selection not be based solely on academic merit but rather in tangible skills that will contribute to the students career success; initiative creativity, ethical leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others through the field of communication.
Requirements:
- Must be an undergraduate student and enrolled in academic good standing in the School of Communication at Illinois State University
- Preference will be given to students pursuing careers in broadcast journalism majors
- Applicants must possess a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
- A strong commitment to the field of broadcast journalism and demonstrated creativity, leadership and interpersonal communication skills
- Submit a resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how your experiences in the School of Communication at Illinois State University will help you make a difference in the broadcast journalism profession
- Submit one letter of recommendation
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Baldwin Scholarship Fund
Background: The Dr. John Baldwin Leadership Award celebrates the faculty of Illinois State University and specifically, the School of Communication. The award honors Dr. John Baldwin, a professor in the School of Communication, who like many of his colleagues, teaches students the value of scholarship and charity in service to the university community. The award recognizes student leaders who demonstrate a similar commitment to the university, their peers, and their own education.
Requirements:
- Academic good standing in the School of Communication
- Minimum GPA of 3.25/4.0 in the School of Communication
- Demonstrated academic achievement as evidenced by a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
- Demonstrated leadership in Illinois State University's community & the School of Communication
- Submit one letter of recommendation stating the student's qualifications
- Submit an updated resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how you demonstrated outstanding leadership in the School of Communication at Illinois State University.
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Eric Hoss Vidette Scholarship
Background: Eric Hoss, alumnus of The Vidette, has established a fund to support activities, scholarships, programs, professional development, and operations associated with The Vidette and the School of Communication. The fund supports an annual $1,000 scholarship providing financial assistance for students on staff at The Vidette.
Requirements:
- Student must be on staff at The Vidette
- Student must have exhibited journalistic excellence over the course of the academic year, and will be selected by the Director of the School of Comunication and the General Manager of The Vidette
- Open to students at any grade level, including Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, and Graduate students.
Illinois Broadcaster Association Endowed Scholarship
Background: This scholarship is created by the Illinois Broadcasters Association in recognition of the excellent education offered by the School of Communication at Illinois State University. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize those students who seek a career in media management, sales and promotion broadcasting.
Requirements:
- Must be an undergraduate student and enrolled in academic good standing in the School of Communication at Illinois State University
- Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Seeking a career in media management, sales and promotion in broadcasting
- Financial need will be considered, but primary consideration will be merit based
- Submit a resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how your experiences in the School of Communication at Illinois State University will help you make a difference in media management, sales and promotion in broadcasting
- Submit one letter of recommendation
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Kelly Seaton Memorial Scholarship Fund
Background: the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation (IBF) memorializes Kelly Seaton through this annual award of $1,000.
Requirements:
- The student must be enrolled as a journalism or mass media major.
- The student must be at the grade level of junior or senior.
Randy Salerno Endowed Memorial Scholarship
Background: This fund is established by an initial gift of $25,000 from the Randy Salerno foundation. Additional fundraising will be done by the School of Communication at ISU through contacts with alumni, faculty and friends who knew and appreciated Randy's dedication to excellence in broadcast journalism.
Requirements:
- Enrolled in academic good standing at Illinois State University
- A full-time undergraduate student with a minimum of 30 earned credit hours
- A declared major of broadcast journalism
- Demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid based on the information provided on the student's FAFSA form
- Submit one updated resume
- Submit a one-page essay demonstrating career goals and reflecting his/her interest in a career in broadcast journalism
- Submit one letter of recommendation
- Funds must be used for educational expenses
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Vicki Lynn Kelley Broadcast Journalism Scholarship
Background: The Vicki Lynn Kelley Endowed Scholarship Fund will support undergraduate students studying communication with a preference to those pursuing careers in radio journalism. It is the donor's wish that selection not be based solely on academic merit but rather in tangible skills that will contribute to the students career success; initiative creativity, ethical leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others through the field of communication.
Requirements:
- Must be an undergraduate student and enrolled in academic good standing in the School of Communication at Illinois State University
- Preference will be given to students pursuing careers in broadcast journalism majors
- Applicants must possess a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
- A strong commitment to the field of broadcast journalism and demonstrated creativity, leadership and interpersonal communication skills
- Submit a resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how your experiences in the School of Communication at Illinois State University will help you make a difference in the broadcast journalism profession
- Submit one letter of recommendation
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
The Outstanding Senior Award is an award given to an outstanding Senior. Although you do not receive any money for this award. You do receive a plaque, and a picture. It also looks great on a resume for future employers.
Baldwin Scholarship Fund
Background: The Dr. John Baldwin Leadership Award celebrates the faculty of Illinois State University and specifically, the School of Communication. The award honors Dr. John Baldwin, a professor in the School of Communication, who like many of his colleagues, teaches students the value of scholarship and charity in service to the university community. The award recognizes student leaders who demonstrate a similar commitment to the university, their peers, and their own education.
Requirements:
- Academic good standing in the School of Communication
- Minimum GPA of 3.25/4.0 in the School of Communication
- Demonstrated academic achievement as evidenced by a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
- Demonstrated leadership in Illinois State University's community & the School of Communication
- Submit one letter of recommendation stating the student's qualifications
- Submit an updated resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how you demonstrated outstanding leadership in the School of Communication at Illinois State University.
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023
Mayor Judy Scholarship Fund
Background: In 1986, Judy Markowitz made a major financial commitment to ISU to establish a fund to assist students in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Communication who major in public relations. Income from the endowment fund is to be used toward tuition and academic expenses.
Requirements:
- Junior or senior level student
- Enrolled in the School of Communication at Illinois State University
- Declared public relations major
- Enrolled in good academic standing
- Submit a resume
- Submit a one-page essay explaining how your experiences in the School of Communication at Illinois State University will help you make a difference in the public relations profession
- Submit one letter of recommendation
Application: Click here to apply.
Deadline for application: February 24, 2023