On January 12, 2021, the UW Department of Communication will honor students with scholarships worth nearly $142,000 in total. These students have proven to be exceptional in the areas of journalism, research, communication, and rhetoric. Department of Communication students can receive awards because of generous gifts from our alumni and friends. Each scholarship has a story behind it – whether created by friends of the Department to honor a prestigious professor, recognize a prized alum, or remember a fallen journalist who left behind a legacy.
We hope you will join us for this evening of stories: both those of our student scholarship recipients, and the donors and alumni who came before them. Please register here through the Celebration of Excellence Eventbrite.
In the meantime, please read about each award and recipient below:
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The Bob Doble Memorial Scholarship was established in the 1930s by Jim and Peg Marshall to honor her son, Bob, who was a community leader in Ellensburg, WA. The Bob Doble Memorial Scholarship has been funded over the years by contributions in various amounts by many supporters.
Recipients:
Rachel Morgan – Rachel is a Communication: Journalism and Marketing dual degree student who will be graduating in March of 2021. During her time at the UW, she has held many paid internships, but the most influential thing she has done throughout the course of her college career has been to join the student newspaper, The Daily. Rachel started as a staff writer, working her way up to columnist, Opinion Editor, and most recently, Managing Editor. The Daily made her fall in love with editorial journalism and journalism leadership, and she is so grateful for all that The Daily has given her, backed by her education within the Communication Department.
Xinyi Wu – Xinyi has always been curious about different people’s communication patterns and how nonverbal expressions influence people in their daily lives. Studying communication has helped her to become a more well-rounded person. As for Xinyi’s future goals, she is willing to pursue a career in human relations and plans to take a wide range of classes to prepare for her life post-graduation.
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Bob Willey / Dan Warner Memorial Scholarship
The Puget Sound Advertising Federation made initial contributions to this fund in 1978 to honor Robert Willey, a 1953 graduate of the former School of Communications, who received national recognition for his expertise in radio advertising. Dan Warner was honored by the Puget Sound Advertising Foundation for his significant contributions to the field.
Recipients:
Kensu Bates – Kensu is a transfer-student that joined the University of Washington in the 2019-2020 school year, and he was admitted into the Communication Department in Autumn Quarter 2019. Kensu has chosen the Communications major because he wants to be able to learn both the practical techniques of Public Relations, and the ways people communicate between people and organizations. He has also been involved within various communication firms and organizations, which has helped him better understand what he is learning in the classroom and then applying it elsewhere. Kensu is so grateful to be able to be awarded this scholarship because as a full-time student, and one paying for his own tuition, this will help relieve some of his financial burdens.
Sa (Sam) Gong – Sam is currently an undergraduate senior student in the University of Washington Seattle, Department of Communication, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a focus on global media and technology. Starting from his sophomore year of high school, he has worked part-time in Chinese Radio Seattle for more than 5 years. As a radio program host and a bi-lingual communicator who can speak both English and Mandarin Chinese, Sam is trying his best to promote the cultural diversity and to enhance the intercultural communications between western and eastern cultures in the Greater Seattle Area. He can also say that his work in radio have enabled him to choose communication as his undergraduate major at UW Seattle. With the assistance from this scholarship, Sam will work harder and perform better in his Academic, as well as Professional, fields and is committed to helping the people around him actualize their dreams.
Zijie (Jessie) Ke – Jessie is grateful that she was chosen to receive the Bob Willey-Dan Warner Memorial Scholarship, and appreciates this generous award, especially in the time of pandemic. Autumn and Winter quarter 2020 will be her last two quarters at the University before she graduates. Jessie has finished all her Communication major requirements and now can choose any other courses, including marketing work, while she takes the time to enjoy her last two quarters at the University. Jessie hopes that when she graduates from the university and enters a career relating to marketing or PR, she will be able to donate to the university to help more students in need. Thank you again for this wonderful award!
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The Cassie Lawrence Bryant Scholarship was established in honor of Ms. Bryant and her service to the Association for Women in Communications. She was elected as the first treasurer of Theta Sigma Phi, the original name of the organization, which was founded on this campus. Early in her professional life, she saw the importance of strong local and national organizations committed to the development of women journalists.
Recipient:
Rochelle Bowyer — As someone with a disability, Rochelle wants to think of ways to include factors of universal design and intersectionality into both her writing and communication skills. She often feels inspired by women journalists, as well as people who look like her, and she hopes to further normalize disability in communications, as anyone could join this community at any time. Moreover, this scholarship gives Rochelle a great boost of self-confidence; knowing that you believe in her skills and abilities enough to invest in her is such a wonderful feeling. This money will bring her closer to her career goals in communications and writing!
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The Christy C. Bulkeley Endowed Memorial Scholarship was established in honor of Christy C. Bulkeley, who was one of the few female newspaper publishers in the United States in the 1970s. Bulkeley later helped update landmark research about women in journalism. She was also a Pulitzer Prize nominating judge and a 1978 winner of the national Headliner Award from, what is now the Association for Women in Communications, and served as that organization’s national president.
Recipients:
Sophie Hurst — Sophie chose to attend the University of Washington partly as it was close to home, but mostly for the connections she would be able to make with other students and faculty. During her first year at the UW, she discovered her passion for personally connecting with people and using those connections in a way that may create change, which is what brought her to the Communication Department, as well as to her Disability Studies minor. Advocacy with the disability community is a passion of Sophie’s, and by learning about Christy C. Bulkeley and her work as an advocate for women in communication, she can get a glimpse of how passionate she was about her work. Sophie is using her time at the UW to learn about communication so that she can work on creating and distributing assistive technologies after she graduates. She dreams one day of making as much of an impact as Christy C. Bulkeley, and to inspire more women to pursue their passions in communication and make personal connections with those around them.
Julia Jannon-Shields — Since arriving at the University of Washington, Julia has immersed herself within the community through the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW), Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMAD), and various other organizations while maintaining Dean’s List status. Through her academic ambitions and involvements, she has been recognized as part of the 2020 Husky 100, a cohort of one-hundred undergraduate and graduate students across the three UW campuses making the most of their time at the UW. Julia hopes that her passion for advocacy, sustainability, and international unity leads her to a career in the United Nations. Without support from our donors, Julia feels she would not be able to continue to flourish at the UW & develop the tools necessary for her to achieve these goals. As she moves forward in her studies, she will do her best to ensure that she is making the most of this opportunity and reaching her full potential!
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David Horsey Scholarship
David Horsey is a 1976 graduate of the Communication department here at the UW. At UW he took on the job of political cartoonist for the UW Daily and became the first cartoonist to become editor in chief. In 1979, he was hired by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and over the next 32 years, he won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work. He worked for the Los Angeles Times, and in 2014, he received the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for his cartoons related to social justice issues. He recently returned to Seattle to work at the Seattle Times. He and his wife, Nole-Ann Usery-Horsey, created the David Horsey Endowed Scholarship to support outstanding students in journalism.
Recipient:
Jordan Golden – Jordan firstdecided to attend the University of Washington and to major in Communication because she desires to work in public relations, or human resources, for a technology company located in Washington. Since enrolling, she has been working in tech sales for almost two years and is currently interviewing for two public relations firms located in Washington. In high school, Jordan’s physical print school newspaper was canceled her freshman year, so she took it upon herself to create and design a new online student school newspaper. She was the editor-in-chief for the rest of high school, and the online paper still exists to this day. From the bottom of her heart, Jordan thanks the Horsey family for helping lessen the burden of affording a college education.
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The Don Pember Journalism Endowed Fund was established in honor of Professor Don Pember, who cared greatly about providing education opportunities to all students. Many other donors, both alumni of the Department and former students and colleagues of Pember, also contributed to the establishment of the scholarship. Don Pember joined the University of Washington faculty in 1969 and served as a mentor to many undergraduate and graduate students. He received the UW’s prestigious Distinguished Teaching Award in 1973 and was recognized two years later for excellence in teaching by the Carnegie Foundation. He retired in the early 2000s.
Recipient:
Kenny Ly – Kenny is thrilled to be a recipient of this award, as it furthers his interest in the field of Journalism and Communication. One of the leading reasons for his appreciation of the Department of Communication is the community they foster in which they care for the development and future of their students. In this department, Kenny has met inspirational leaders, professors, and peers that have broadened his perspective on Journalism and Communication. To him, this scholarship displays compassion towards developing journalists, and he is deeply grateful to receive this award. Kenny aims to use this scholarship to fund his academic journey and further develop his passions in Communication, with a focus on mass media. Like Don Pember, Kenny hopes to develop his interest in mass media to understand the mechanics and social implications behind this medium.
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The Excellence in Journalism Scholarship was established by a UW Journalism alum, and provides financial support for journalism students who have expressed an interest in a career in journalism, and to encourage the highest standards of journalism: to encourage excellence in thought and expression, to encourage the exercise of the First Amendment’s right to freedom of speech and the press, and to advance the people’s right to know in a responsible manner.
Recipients:
Kathy (Kat) Camero – Kat is looking forward to continuing her involvement in issues surrounding human rights, community groundwork, and her own Latino community. She chose to pursue journalism after she first discovered her love for writing, research, and interviewing for her assignments in community college; taking Professor Godoy’s class in ‘Human Rights in Latin America’ at the UW solidified Kat’s interest in working within her community and doing investigative work. She is very appreciative of the support and funding you have given her. She plans to make use of this to someday inspire positive change within her communities.
Margaret Hsiao — To accomplish her goals and dreams, Margaret hopes to learn more through this major and spend more of her time working towards becoming a better journalist. She is not afraid of speaking her thoughts and sharing her ideas; Margaret believes the Communication: Journalism major will teach her more skills and techniques that will help her become a better writer and blogger. Margaret wishes to learn more about filming, researching, and writing news. She wants to serve all kinds of communities by spreading her passion and enthusiasm for this subject. Margaret hopes to continue her journey within the Communication: Journalism major at the University of Washington with the help of this Excellence in Journalism Scholarship!
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The Harold E. Carr Scholarship in Communication was established by Harold E. and Joyce C. Carr to support upper level undergraduate students in the Department of Communication who study in the fields of journalism, public relations, global communication, and political communication.
Recipient:
Jiezhen (Jessie) Chen – Jessie is beyond thankful and thrilled to have the honor to receive this award. She is president of the Association for Women in Communication chapter at the UW, and her academic achievements just qualified her for the Dean’s List last quarter. During her time at the UW, Jessie hopes to participate in more school events, get involved with research programs, and take on leadership roles. She plans to graduate in 2022 and pursue a master’s degree in Communication Leadership at the UW. As a first-generation college student, Jessie is beyond thankful for generous scholarships like this, because they motivate her to make the most out of her college experience. The generosity of our donors has inspired her to become a more helpful member of her community; when Jessie has the financial ability to become a donor in the future, she will give back and help those who are in need.
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The J. Daniel McConnell Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship in Journalism and Public Relations honors Dan McConnell, a highly regarded instructor in UW Professional & Continuing Education, his hard work and lifelong dedication to communications, public relations, and community service.
Recipient:
Hannah Doyle — Hannah is a Senior at the UW, studying Political Communication & Rhetoric and minoring in Scandinavian Studies and Classical Studies. She wanted to express her sincere gratitude for making this scholarship possible. At the UW, Hannah is involved with Salsa Club and the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students. She is also a public speaking consultant at the UW Speaking Center. Last summer, Hannah interned at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, where she worked closely with the Public Affairs Section. In the future, she hopes to combine her passions for international affairs and public relations into a career.
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Jane Roller established the Jane and Reid Roller Scholarship in Communication in memory of her husband, J. Reid Roller, to support Department of Communication undergraduate students. J. Reid Roller was an Associate Professor in the School of Communications in the 1980s. He came to the department after a long career at J. Walter Thompson, a renowned advertising agency (known as JWT since 2005).
Recipient:
Danica Nixon — As an international student from Kelowna, British Columbia, Danica shares that receiving awards like this one will be what helps her to graduate from the UW next spring. She had just recently been accepted into the Communication major when she decided half-way through her junior year to completely switch career paths! Originally, Danica was majoring in earth and space sciences, but now she hopes to have a career in marketing, PR, or advertising!
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Marion Impola established the John Impola Endowment for Journalism Education in memory of her husband. John Impola was born in Cathlamet, WA. He was the first member of his family to earn a college degree, graduating from the UW with a 1928 B.A. in Journalism. His entire career was devoted to the practice of journalism in the Northwest. The Daily Journal of Commerce employed him for 25 years, where he served as its managing editor for many years before retiring.
Recipient:
Andy Nobuyuki Yamashita — This is the second time that Andy has been awarded the John Impola Scholarship for Journalism Education, and he is just as grateful to be chosen this time as he was last year. Andy is currently the sports editor at the UW Daily, and recently completed a 10-week internship with the Denver Post. He was given that opportunity after becoming the third student from the UW to participate in the Sports Journalism Institute, a program set up by Sandy Rosenbush, Leon Carter, and others, to give writers of color and women a chance to work in the sports media industry. Most of Andy’s writing has been about telling the stories of people of color and women in sports, and he hopes to continue amplifying those voices in the future. At the UW, he has been able to learn many of the skills that allowed him to thrive both at SJI and the Denver Post, and this scholarship will allow Andy to continue honing his abilities… even if it’s over Zoom.
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The John H. and Harriet Reid Memorial Scholarship was established by their son Wally Reid to honor their commitment to education and journalism. John was orphaned in 1886 at the age of 13 and taken in by Capt. Luther Osborn, who owned the Red River Valley News in Glyndon MN. By the age of 16, John knew he wanted to be a journalist and Capt. Osborn was happy to teach him. Over the next 28 years, John owned 2 newspapers then founded a third, the University District Herald, when his family settled in the University District. Although neither John nor Harriet had a high school education, all 9 of their children graduated from the University of Washington, two with a degree in journalism. In 1941, John and Harriet received Honorary Degrees from the UW, only the third time that honor had been awarded.
Recipient:
Patric Haerle – Patric’s father raised him and his three siblings alone through the 2008 recession with only the income from his job as an editor at their local paper. While Patric never has had the financial means of some others, he has have gained invaluable insight into the news world as he grew up. This scholarship allows him to use all that he has learned to eventually become the best journalist he can, without having to worry about his financial situation. Patric’ goal in life is to help the public become more informed about the issues that matter, and scholarships like this make that a possibility.
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The Kevin Ellis Endowed Scholarship was founded in 1985 by the parents of Mr. Ellis who graduated from the UW in 1981. In 1982, he was kidnapped by rebel dissidents in Zimbabwe while on a tour of Africa to learn more about the country and its people. His death was confirmed in 1985. The Westin Hotels and family members and friends have contributed to this fund as well. The scholarship is awarded to students who, like Mr. Ellis, have an interest in international communication.
Recipients:
Kailee Bruner – Kaillee is a first-generation college student from the very small town of Buckley Washington (about an hour south of Seattle at the base of Mt. Rainier). Navigating the multifaceted ways of the UW at first was a challenge, however, she is now more than excited to finish off her senior year, having a much better understanding and sense of community at the UW. Part of that community consists of Kailee’s areas of study: she has met countless friends, knowledgeable and helpful professors, and many others along the way. After she finishes college, Kailee would like to travel and use the knowledge I have received thus far to enrich herself. She hopes to one day work in Human Resources, paying specific attention to the international market for jobs.
Allison Kaneshige — As Allison enters into her final year at the University of Washington, she is in awe of how fast time has flown by. She is now happy to say that in the spring of 2021, she will graduatte with degrees from both the Department of Communication and the College of Education, and she is thrilled to see what will come next. Allison’s time at the University of Washington has allowed her to grow into a more curious, confident, and competent young adult. Following graduation, she hopes to serve as a Peace Corp volunteer in the education sector. Allison is passionate about listening to and learning others’ stories. During her time abroad, she is most looking forward to creating meaningful connections with the people in the communities where she will serve. Moreover, the generosity of our donors has inspired Allison to help others and give back to the community, while continuing to be curious. She hopes that one day she will be able to help students achieve their goals just as she has been helped.
Rachel (Rachelle) Tran — Originally from San Diego, Rachel had to consider her financial status before coming to the UW. But coming to a college outside of her comfort zone, with some of the best academic programs, was important to her. Since coming into college, Rachel has realized that her passion is for Science Communication. She plans to complete a double degree in Communication and Neuroscience and pursue a career in educating the public about science and health topics. One of Rachel’s other goals is to study abroad, not only to appreciate a different country’s culture, but to understand the nuances in their communication. In high school, she traveled to Vietnam. It was difficult to adjust to the different culture at first, but she soon was able to feel comfortable in the foreign country. This allowed Rachel to recognize the differences in American and Vietnamese culture, which reflected her Vietnamese American upbringing. Receiving this scholarship has motivated her even more to succeed in her career goals!
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The Leadership in Communication Scholarship was created to provide student support for intense, immersive opportunities for leadership development in the Department of Communication. It is designed to support students who are seeking to be civic and community leaders, with communication at the heart of their work.
Recipient:
Ethan Blyn – Ethan’s path to the Communication major was not a linear one. However, he ended up choosing to study Communication full time simply because it came naturally to him, and he found the classes to be interesting… and, as it turns out, the decision to fully immerse himself in the study of Communication was the best decision that a person like Ethan could have made. Every class that he has taken in the Com department has taught him incredibly valuable skills related to understanding himself and every single one of his interactions. These are the types of skills that you cannot place a simple monetary value on; they will serve Ethan in wherever his career takes him. As it so happens, it was Ethan’s Com professors that inspired him to push his limits. After years of adjusting his career aspirations, Ethan decided this year that he wants to pursue a law degree, a decision directly influenced by his time in COM 234 and COM 440. Ethan is so thankful to the donors for making this experience possible!
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The Marjorie Kaczor Alhadeff Endowed Scholarship in Journalism was established by Marjorie Kaczor Alhadeff who graduated from the University of Washington in 1971, with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Sociology and Communications (Editorial Journalism). An ardent advocate of responsibility and ethical reporting, she offers this scholarship in support of future responsible and ethical reporters.
Recipient:
Madison Morgan – Madison chose to attend the University of Washington and is working towards a double major in communication: journalism and international studies, so that she can pursue her goal of becoming a global communications specialist (such as working communications at an NGO or within an embassy). As someone who grew up quite reserved, quiet, and shy, Madison joined her high school’s journalism program after encouragement from her mom, and absolutely fell in love with it. She likes that journalism gives her the ability to amplify the voice of the voiceless and to explore things she is excited and curious to learn about. As a student that pays for their own tuition, this scholarship will not only help Madison continue to pay for her studies, but also engage in new and exciting opportunities, such as her expected college exchange at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea next spring!
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The Marty Wilson Scholarship was established in 1996 with memorial gifts received from Marty Wilson’s family, friends, and admirers. Her professional career began in 1957 with the development of a program about education from the point of view of a parent. She produced numerous programs for KOMO-TV and served as a visiting lecturer in the UW School of Communications. Her many achievements and awards throughout her creative and courageous career offer an example of what a new generation of journalists can accomplish.
Recipient:
Hannah Sheil — Even though this year we were not able to gather at an in-person ceremony, Hannah is still so grateful for this opportunity to share her story and thanks with Marty Wilson’s family. Scholarships like these mean so much to students because they not only give them the opportunity to continue their studies without worry around finances, but they also validate their work and time within the major/school. Sometimes Hannah can find herself lacking confidence in her ability to be a journalist, but her time at the UW in the Communication Department has reignited her passion and confidence. Support from her friends and the faculty, along with reassuring awards like these, inspire Hannah to continue her journey.
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The Max & Monica Holsinger Scholarship was established in 2006. Max Holsinger, a 1938 graduate, was a lifelong supporter of the UW. After graduation, he sold advertising for Mining World in Eastern and Western Europe and Africa. He also had a long and successful career in the publishing industry. The Holsingers established a scholarship to not only support UW journalism students, but also the communities in which the students will ultimately pursue their careers.
Recipient:
Martina Povolo — The University of Washington was Martina’s first-choice school, ever since she visited years prior to applying and experienced its majestic campus and diverse student population. She always knew she wanted to become a writer and tell people’s stories in an impactful way, so when an opportunity was presented to her to write for The Daily, she applied right away. Martina has since found it to be her home and happy place within the larger university community. The classes and professors in the Department of Communication have become mentors for her, and her love for Journalism has grown even more due to their support and teaching. Martina would like to personally thank you for this award, which will allow her to continue her studies at the UW and possibly abroad in the Spring; she cannot be more grateful for the experience she has received at the UW with this help.
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Assunta Ng, the President and Publisher of Northwest Asian Weekly and the Chinese Post, established the Northwest Asian Weekly Scholarship. She received her bachelor’s degree from the UW in 1974, her teaching certificate in 1976, and a master’s degree in Speech Communication in 1979. In 1982 and 1983, she founded the Seattle Chinese Post and Northwest Asian Weekly, respectively, with a goal to connect an Asian community that was greatly ignored by other newspapers in Seattle. Assunta has been honored many times for her work in the Asian community and beyond.
Recipients:
Om Khandekar — As an Asian American and the first in his family to pursue a career in media production, Om is especially grateful to receive a scholarship established by an Asian American communication pioneer. Although he has been producing media since he was 16 years old, it feels more official knowing that his work can be validated in small part by a degree from the Journalism program here at the UW. Receiving this scholarship lets Om know that the department supports him and letting him connect with the Northwest Asian Weekly/Seattle Chinese Post Endowed Scholar in Communication scholarship gives him confidence as he dives into even more challenging courses here at the UW. Om plans on learning, networking, and practicing his craft in the Communication: Journalism program and from the Asian American Studies program as well. He hopes to turn this education into a purposeful career in multimedia journalism, and this scholarship is a huge leap in his plans to start a career in this industry.
Qianni (Sunny) Wang — Sunny is honored and happy to be the recipient of the Northwest Asian Weekly/Seattle Chinese Post Endowed Scholarship in Communication. She is a third-year student, currently enrolling in the Communication: Journalism program with a double major in Environmental Science. Sunny chose to study Environmental Science in her first year of college because of a genuine interest in the natural environment. As she learned more about the living conditions of the plants, animals, and humans, she realized that it is very important to spread scientific knowledge and to share the message of protecting the environment to more people. Sunny started searching for platforms and found that joining The Daily was very serendipitous; there she fell in love with writing about the sciences and the environment. She decided to become a professional reporter who composes educational scientific stories. In the future, Sunny plans to travel across China, learn about native wildlife, and put my experiences into stories written in both Chinese and English. She wants to pass on her love and passion for nature to readers across the globe and build connections between cultures with a shared love of nature. She wants to thank you again for your generosity and support.
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Northwest Automotive Press Association Scholarship
The Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) is a professional organization of automotive journalists and media members from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Southwest Canada. Founded in 1991, NWAPA includes 53 voting members representing more than 100 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, media groups and the Internet. Non-voting members include representatives from automotive manufacturers and related industry professionals. NWAPA and its members are dedicated to supporting future journalists (automotive or otherwise) and are proud to offer this scholarship to journalism students.
Recipient:
Conor Courtney – Conor wants to express his deep gratitude and pride that he was selected for the Northwest Automotive Press Association Scholarship. This financial investment in his studies allows him to focus more on improving his journalism, rather than working non-journalism jobs. Especially now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people are reimagining transportation and the world around them, and Conor is excited to be supported while reporting during this time; this award will positively impact his life for years to come.
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The Patricia Cranston Creativity in Communication Scholarship supports students in their pursuit of professional opportunities, with the goal of supporting student creativity, in any forms, so that students can take a chance on an idea. Patricia Cranston taught at the UW School of Journalism for more than 35 years, where she was the first tenure-track woman professor. She helped start KCTS and KUOW, where she was the News Director, and became the first woman president of the Broadcast Education Association. Cranston retired from the UW in 1990.
Recipient:
Corinne Dietz — Corinne chose to come to the University of Washington not only because of the prestige and academic rigor, but because she knew that she would find more opportunities for growth here than at any other university. Studying communication has pushed her to express herself, articulate her ideas, and connect with others. In her final year at the UW, Corinne is looking forward to continuing to write for The Daily, working as a speech consultant, and continuing to immerse herself in the campus that has taught her so much. This scholarship will give her the freedom to focus on her creative passions. and concentrate on her academics during her final quarters.
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Deborah Wiegand created the Richard Earl Wiegand Memorial Scholarship in memory of her husband, Richard Earl Wiegand, who worked for The Boeing Company and retired shortly before his passing in 2006. Richard Weigand was born in Illinois and attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a degree in communications. Richard would go on to be elected President and recognized as a Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication. Deborah Wiegand has been a longtime faculty member in Chemistry here at the UW and is beloved by students. She is deeply committed to community partnerships and in 2000 she received the Sterling Munro Public Service Faculty Award.
Recipient:
Jethro Carl Swain — Jethro Swain is currently an aspiring journalist in the journalism program at the UW. He came to this school with an interest in journalism but was not really set on pursuing the major (at first). However, towards the end of Jethro’s sophomore year, when it was time to select a major, the choice was clear. He knew that at a school as great as the UW, he could pursue whichever field he wanted to, and he knew that journalism was where he would be able to fit in. This scholarship only further affirms Jethro’s decision to become a journalist, and he thanks the Wiegand family and the UW for choosing him for this scholarship.
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Robert F. Philip Scholarship
Robert F. Philip graduated from the UW in 1940 and was an active participant in, and observer of, University affairs for over 6 decades — as University of Washington student in the 1930s, as president of the Tri-City Herald newspaper, as a member of the Medical School’s visiting committee, as district governor of the Alumni Association and, for 18 years, as a member of the University of Washington Board of Regents. Mr. Philip established this scholarship to ensure academic and professional excellence at the University in the field of Communication.
Recipients:
Nataly Castellanos—Nataly is especially grateful to have such incredible donors see this potential in her! Last year, she took an exciting communication class called “Writing with Voice” (COM 464). It taught Nataly so much about writing for the ear: she and her classmates learned how to use audio recordings and edit them using Adobe Audition. This was something Nataly had never done before, but she loved it! It made her realize that it is possible for her to see herself doing this after she graduates college. Also, it made Nataly realize that there are a lot of careers that she can pursue with a communications degree, which makes her excited for her future!
Christian Espinoza — Christian chose the University of Washington’s Communication department because he knew that the diversity and world perspective that the UW has to offer would help him in his own personal growth. He plans to use both his degrees in Communication and Gender Women and Sexuality Studies to work at a nonprofit that specifically develops programming for LGBTQ+ youth, specifically focusing on low income communities of color. During the more turbulent times of Christian’s career at the UW, it was the professors and students here that kept him afloat. The diverse and unique perspectives that the Communication department had to offer has taught him so much that he could have never learned working at his current job. This scholarship allows Christian to continue to learn and engage with the opportunities the UW provides its students. This scholarship also furthers his goal of being the first person in his family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree! From the bottom of his heart, Christian thanks you for believing in him and his dreams of making an impact on LGBTQ+ lives and Graduating from the University of Washington. Go Huskies!
Rosalyn Goveia – Rosalyn chose the University of Washington out of a curiosity for the Seattle area and the opportunity the UW presented, as it offered many areas of study and a diverse student body from which she could learn. This award will be a great help to her while she finishes her undergraduate education this year, as it will allow her to focus more on school and less on financial difficulties. In school and in life, Rosalyn enjoys learning more about other cultures and her own and practicing her growing Spanish skills. She studied abroad in Spain with the Communication department in the fall of 2019 and hopes to return to see her host family soon and travel to other areas of the world.
Nicole Hardman — As Nicole enters the final year of her undergraduate studies, she intends to continue to explore aspects of communication that interest her, such as the ways in which mass communication influences how individuals come to understand, create and use motion media. In doing so, she aims to become more aware of what the implications of these findings are for contemporary society. This year, Nicole also hopes to investigate specific career paths within the communication field to get a better sense of which direction she would like to take upon completing her undergraduate degree.
Noelle Hardman — While life can sometimes become overwhelming with difficult decisions and uncertainty, the decision to study Communication at the University of Washington was an easy one for Noelle to make. Within Communication, she found an exciting and relevant area of study whose broadness has equipped her with a wealth of knowledge. The flexibility within the department has also allowed for her to explore other interests at the University and led Noelle to become a Communication and Cinema & Media Studies double major. Uncertainty permeates Noelle’s life and the lives of many others during our current time, but with the help of generous donors, her uncertainty about financial ability is greatly eased. She does not take this privilege for granted, and instead hopes that she can someday pay this gift forward to those who also find themselves in uncertainty in the future.
Terra Huang – Terra is honored to be selected for this scholarship at this time, especially as COVID-19 has dramatically impacted her finances. This scholarship has allowed her to continue to participate in her summer marketing internship at SanMar. Although it was cut short to limit the impact of COVID-19 on the company, Terra learned so much about marketing and communications from this experience. Her time during this internship has been eye-opening, and she plans to tailor her senior schedule to take more communication courses to build her ability to be a good leader and collaborator; she found that these skills will greatly benefit her in her future endeavors in project management. Terra hopes that one day she will be able to be able to give back and help other students as well!
Zachary Huffman — Fun story about Zachary: he chose not to attend the University of Washington when he was a freshman in college. Instead, he opted to attend community college for the first two years of his college career. There are several things that led to this choice: Zachary knew at a community college that he would be able to step into leadership roles earlier than he would typically if he had attended the UW right away. The other reason is that community college is low cost, which allowed him to attend that institution while working jobs that did not pay as much but carried the possibility of large amount of impact. This scholarship reinforces the hard work that Zachary has put in the last several years, and means that he can continue to strive to make an impact in his community, and be able to approach this next year at the University of Washington with one less fear.
Maddie Kraut – Maddie is a communication major with an emphasis in social and cultural communication. She plans to pursue a career in sports or entertainment marketing upon graduation in the winter of 2022. Maddie came to the UW because of the opportunities the school offered, both inside and outside of the classroom. She wanted a school that would motivate her to be the best student she could be. Maddie has made the Dean’s List every quarter since coming to the UW. One of the biggest opportunities Maddie has had is being an intern for the athletic department; currently, she is a Gameday and Marketing Intern for Husky Athletics. She is sincerely honored to have been selected as a recipient of the Robert F. Philip Scholarship.
Citlalli Rodriguez-Garcilazo — Citlalli was born and raised in the small town of Othello Washington. To accomplish her goals and dreams, she decided to pursue a higher education degree at the University of Washington in Seattle. This was a big step for her, because it meant leaving her comfort zone by moving away from her parents and into a big city, which she had never visited before. Regardless of the obstacles that were put in her way, and the fact that she is a first-generation Latina student, Citlalli did not let anything stop her academic progress. Now, fast forward to today: she will graduate with her bachelor’s degree at the University of Washington in 2021. Citlalli chose the communications major because it was a program that she felt could open a lot of doors for her in the field of marketing. Citlalli is extremely grateful for all the love and support that this scholarship brings to her and her family.
Jay Serna – Jay decided to apply to the University of Washington because he has always been a fan of the institution’s academics and sports teams. It was not until he started attending school here, however, that he realized there was so much more behind the atmosphere here. The bright, yet serious, mood of Jay’s peers was intimidating at first, but he has come to find himself more at home here at the UW than the place where he was born and raised. Jay loves the accepting, progressive environment here, and now feels like there was no other place for him to choose. He has been fortunate to have some truly exceptional professors at the UW; they helped him realize that what he is looking to do with his life is to help others speak their mind and stand up for what they believe in, because not everyone always has those types of opportunities. Receiving this award has helped remind Jay that he is doing something right with his life choices.
YingJun (Ashley) Tan — It is Ashley’s upmost pleasure to be the 2020 recipient of this scholarship two years in a row. She is currently finishing her third year at the University of Washington and heading into her final year with a bit of excitement and anxiousness! Ashley is majoring in Communication Media Studies, and finds herself to be passionate in the realms of communication because she truly believes that in life, one of the main aspects of being human relies on great communicative skills, and this can be found within every career industry. During these strange times of 2020, Ashely feels that the UW community has come together more than ever to weather these unprecedented events with strength and support for one another. Together, she believes we are building a sustainable and brighter future for ourselves and the next generations to come.
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Robert L. Patterson Scholarship
Robert Patterson was professor emeritus at Castleton State College in Vermont. After the passing of his wife in 1991, Marilyn Mathis Patterson, UW Class of 1948, he arranged for an endowment for her alma mater. Marilyn was an avid journalism alumna, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Delta Pi, and recipient of the UW Faculty Medal while she was a student here.
Recipients:
Kelby Brown — Kelby chose the University of Washington for its diversity, inclusivity, and its commitment to excellence, hoping to leap-start his future career endeavors. The experience here has been nothing short of amazing; the University of Washington has truly helped build the foundation for Kelby’s future. He is grateful for this scholarship as these funds will help him pursue his dreams and help alleviate some of those extra financial burdens that come with pursuing his academic goals. Kelby vows to continue to be a better person, a more valuable community member and to continue to follow his passions. With love, Go Huskies!
Zack Gallagher — Zack chose the department of Communication at the University of Washington because coming into college, he did not particularly like one subject over another; he just knew the subjects he did not like. Communication intrigued him because it was different from all the “basic” subjects he was taught all throughout high school, and he thought that it would be interesting to explore this subject further. On a personal level, this award has shined a unique feeling of excitement on Zach’s life in the seemingly never-ending blur of time that the current world situation is causing for many. Scholarships have always stood a place in his mind as trophies that were nearly impossible to obtain. Now, whether that is true or not, receiving this award gives Zach the confidence to try for more scholarships in the future!
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The Ruddick C. and Cherry Lawrence Endowed Scholarship was founded in 1996. Lawrence began his professional life as the Director of Publicity for the Detroit Institute of the Arts and then went on to serve as manager at The American Boy magazine and Fortune magazine. He was vice president of the New York Stock Exchange from 1953 to 1968 and founded his own consulting firm, Lawrence Associates, in 1977. Throughout his career, he was committed to community service and education.
Recipients:
Angela Bebina — Attending the University of Washington has been one of the best decisions Angela could have made for her life, as this school has connected her to an amazing network of peers, professors, researchers, and alumni, and has blessed her with a holistic education. Post-graduation, she hopes to take the lessons and valuable skills learned at this institution and apply them to her work and community. Angela is highly committed to serving underrepresented students and communities, and she knows that the experiences from her undergraduate education have taught her how to engage with, and serve, a diverse community. She is proud to be a member of the Husky family and will forever proudly wear the purple and gold colors!
Adriel Lora – Adriel is an incoming senior majoring in Communications, minoring in Entrepreneurship, Diversity and Real Estate. The main reason he chose the Communication Department as his major is due to the broadness of the field: it enables him to explore different career paths as he is passionate about several different things. Adriel’s main passions include fashion, sports, and music. Therefore, with a major in communications, he would like to work in social media or marketing when it comes to those 3 passions. In addition to his communications major, Adriel’s minor in entrepreneurship will also play an important role as he pursues his future goals. His ultimate goal is to start his own clothing brand, which has been in his plans since high school. Overall, this award adds to Adriel’s list of accomplishments, and therefore is something for which he has a great appreciation!
Isabella Sundy – Isabella’s personal, professional, and academic experiences have led her to believe strongly in being open to others’ perspectives. Her desire to be more understanding and receptive to diverse viewpoints, is what led her to pursue a degree in Communication. Through her communication, sales, and diversity studies coursework, she has gained insight into how to effectively connect with individuals. Isabella’s dedication to building relationships can be demonstrated by her leadership as Vice President of Professional Development for First-Generation Business Leaders. As VP, she has helped to bridge the gap between first-gen students and professionals by inviting guest speakers to share their career stories and advice. Isabella’s on-campus involvement has afforded her the opportunity to develop collaborative relationships with her peers, instructors, and other professionals. Receiving this additional financial support will allow her to continue to prioritize her on-campus-involvement over additional hours working for an income. With this scholarship, Isabella is able to continue to pursue activities such as Business Impact Group, the student consulting program that works with local small businesses to develop solutions to challenges, and the Non-Tech Roles in the Tech Mentorship Program. She is so grateful for the opportunity to spend the remainder of her senior year participating in relationship-based activities that are beneficial to her career development and community engagement.
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The Seattle Times / Blethen Family Memorial Scholarship was established in 1990 with a goal to introduce new ideas and customs into university study programs; and to spread ideas, understanding and information to the general public by increasing the number of underrepresented men and women in journalism.
Recipients:
Tyler Agafonov — Tyler Agafonov, is a first-generation senior studying journalism and political science with a minor in education, learning and society at the University of Washington. His hometown is Anchorage, Alaska and he is an enrolled member of the Native Village of Ouzinkie, an Alutiiq tribe in southwest Alaska. Tyler is very involved in the Native community and he serves as secretary for First Nations at the University of Washington, the largest Native American and Alaska Native student organization on campus. During his time as secretary, Tyler created, and continues to curate, a weekly newsletter that is distributed to over 900 subscribers during the academic year. He chose to attend the University of Washington because Seattle is the largest city in the United States to his hometown, and he grew up reading The Seattle Times along with other publications. Tyler is very thankful for this award because it shows that journalism and communications students are valued, even during a time of major cuts to reporting and the era of “fake news.” His career goals are to go into reporting or communications to make an impact in the vibrant Native communities around the nation, including his own.
Suhani Dalal — Suhani aspires to become an environmental journalist, with a focus on intersectionality. As an Indian American, choosing a career in journalism is not common; there is little representation in media, especially lacking in the newsrooms in which she dreams of working. Suhani is inspired to continue her education in this field to bolster the voices of underrepresented communities and challenge traditional journalistic norms. She is truly grateful for The Seattle Times/Blethen Family Memorial Scholarship, as this financial support means she can continue to learn and educate herself with less financial burden.
Chantel Ross – This is one of the first scholarships that Chantel has received. To hear this has lifted her spirits and will drive her even more to excel in this field. She always knew that she wanted to studied communications; mainly because her family says she talked a lot, so why not major in something she was naturally good at? Once Chantel got into this major, she learned more and more how much she loved writing and journalism. To tell a story that can inform, influence, and captivate an audience is a skill that she is still trying to master. However, this scholarship helps her, not only financially, but personally, as it enables her to keep pursuing what keeps her curious and driven every day.