2020-2021 student award and scholarship recipients

10/15/2020

Daffodils outside Gregory Hall
Congratulations to these College of Media students who received campus and college awards and honors, and scholarships and fellowships that were made possible thanks to our donors.

HONORS

Bronze Tablet
Inscription on the Bronze Tablets in the Main Library recognizes students ranking in the top three percent of their graduating class.

Tianmeiyu Fan
Sienna Gudino
Evan Hawkins
Alisha Kumar
Matthew Oldham
Zhen Qin
Ellen Thomas
Chaowei Zhang

Highest Honors
For 2020-2021, the Highest Honors status in the College of Media is awarded to graduating seniors with a 3.93 to 4.0 GPA. (Ranges are based on percentages and may change slightly each year.)

Samantha Blanc
Tianmeiyu Fan
Sienna Gudino
Evan Hawkins
Trista Hu
Alisha Kumar
Matthew Oldham
Zhen Qin
Samantha St Leger
Ellen Thomas
Melissa Wenta
Chaowei Zhang

High Honors
For 2020-2021, the High Honors status in the College of Media is awarded to graduating seniors with a 3.88 to 3.92 GPA. (Ranges are based on percentages and may change slightly each year.)

Mary Adam
Nicholas Arroyo
Adam Barrera
Hallin Burgan
Pauline Chang
Julia Deters
Haley Doyle
Madelyn Foster
Tiarah Golliday-Murry
Daniel Harty
Jordan Kahn
Xinyi Li
Erin Nadel
Ethan Simmons
Caroline Wallace
Xinyi Wei
Emma Wilbur
Tian Zhang

Honors
For 2020-2021, the Honors status in the College of Media is awarded to graduating seniors with a 3.80-3.87 GPA. (Ranges are based on percentages and may change slightly each year.)

Pari Apostolakos
Delaney Appelhans
Tyler Belisle
Callum Brien
Quinn Brosnahan
Bailey Burke
Connor Ciecko
Andrew Daly
Ava Fiandaca
Dehui Fu
Tiegan Hartley
Meghan Hopkins
Jessica Hudon
Javen Joerger
Kelly Johnson
Karolina Kaniewski
YoonJi Kim
Jingquan Luo
Lindsay Matousek
Joshua Mollway
Giovanni Ortega Flores
Kati Potaczek
Zoe Replinger
Jacob Rodino
Abigail Schoonover
Sarah Sigmon
Jacob Simon
Elizabeth Vogg
Max Weiss
Sonja Williams
Nicole Yaylayan

James Scholars
This university-wide honors program encourages James Scholars to develop skills in leadership and service, research or honors coursework, service learning and global studies, and professional development.

Adam Barrera
Vlada Bazeliciuc
Olivia Bloemke
Hallin Burgan
Ava Fiandaca
Tiarah Golliday-Murry
Samantha Hamilton
Tiegan Hartley
Daniel Harty
Jessica Hudon
Jordan Kahn
Alisha Kumar
Hayley Mason
Joshua Mollway
Caroline Niemann
Jacob Rodino
Sarah Sigmon
Ellen Thomas
Shelbi Voss
Rainie Zhang
Tian Zhang

Kappa Tau Alpha
This college honor society recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

Mary Adam
Madelyn Foster
Daniel Harty
Alisha Kumar

AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS, & FELLOWSHIPS

American Advertising Federation’s Most Promising Multicultural Students
Each year, the American Advertising Federation selects the 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students in the nation. Since the program began in 1997, the AAF Illinois chapter has had more winners than any other university or college. Winners participate in a three-day industry immersion program with the highest level industry executives and companies in New York City. They are also recognized at the annual Building Bridges for Our Future awards luncheon with top industry professionals and organizations.

Alisha Kumar
Carmel Elyssia Bumaa
Erika Hernandez

Betty Hinckle Dunn Memorial Scholarship
Mr. Lyman Dunn, a graduate of the University, established this scholarship in memory of his wife at the time of her death. Mrs. Dunn was a journalism graduate and a longtime officer of Women in Communications. Mr. Dunn died in 1986. The fund supports an undergraduate scholarship and an annual public lecture by a distinguished journalist.

Delaney Appelhans

Bill Geist Broadcasting Journalism Writing Prize
This endowment was established in 1998 by alumnus Bill Geist, CBS correspondent and best-selling author. The award is presented to an undergraduate student majoring in broadcast journalism who demonstrates extraordinary ability and creativity in writing and reporting news for radio and television.

Jose Zepeda

Bob Reid Minority Student Recruitment Fund
Bob Reid began teaching journalism at Ilinois in 1979 as a visiting lecturer, then joined the journalism faculty as a professor in 1980. He retired in fall 2003. The fund was established so his friends, former students, and colleagues could help perpetuate his passion for journalism teaching and scholarship.

Benedicte Mulumba Yenyi

Brett Lerner Memorial Scholarship in Journalism
This scholarship celebrates the life of Brett Lerner whose untimely death in 2015 lead to an outpouring of support from the campus community and across the country. Brett was a junior studying journalism who inspired many with his tremendous talent, professionalism, and drive to succeed. Those closest to Brett knew him as a very bright young man with an amazing future ahead of him in the sports broadcasting field. His parents, Richard and Susan Pomerantz, were instrumental in establishing the fund and providing a way for family members, friends, and Brett’s many professional and personal connections to honor his legacy. The Lerner Scholarship is awarded to a talented undergraduate student with a passion for journalism and demonstrated experience working for a high school or college newspaper or other journalism work experience.

Josh Pietsch

C&U Poster Advertising Company Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior majoring in advertising. It was created by Kip Pope to honor Robert P. Pope and Barbara G. Pope and in memory of Fred and Bertha Gillingham. Mr. Pope is the former president of C&U Poster.

Xinyi Li

C. Arthur and Eleanor Hemminger Scholarship
The late Eleanor Garm Hemminger was a 1939 graduate of the University, and established this endowment through her estate. Arthur Hemminger was a 1930 journalism graduate. Scholarships are presented to deserving undergraduate media students.

Eric Catania
Javen Joerger
Joanna Lee
Jennifer Li
Giovanni Ortega-Flores
Amil Styles
Ellen Thomas
Makayla Wilson

C.O. “Doc” Erickson Scholarship in Journalism
This scholarship was established in 2006 by the late University of Illinois alumnus and film producer C.O. “Doc” Erickson, who worked with many Hollywood directors, including Alfred Hitchcock on “To Catch a Thief” and “Vertigo,” and with John Houston on “The Misfits.” The scholarship is presented to undergraduate students enrolled in journalism.

Audrey Piemontese

Calvin Hugy Scholarship
This endowment was established from the Calvin E. Hugy estate. Mr. Hugy was a 1950 journalism graduate. He retired as vice president of Pacific Eurpac Service, Inc., of Greenwich, Connecticut. The scholarship is presented to deserving undergraduate media students.

Mary Adam
Tyler Belisle
Andrew Daly
Annalee Mattson
Jiawei Pei
Lincoln Rogers

Cardiss Collins Scholarship for Diversity in Advertising
Established by the American Advertising Federation in 1996 to honor Illinois’ first black congresswoman, Rep. Cardiss Collins, this scholarship is awarded to a minority student intending to pursue advertising studies.

William Morrow

Carl and Ruth S. Stephens Scholarship
The Stephens family bequeathed a farm to the College of Communications in the mid-1980s. Proceeds from its operation and eventual sale in 1990 have been used to endow this scholarship for journalism students who demonstrate academic merit and/or financial need.

Charrice Jones
Justin Malone

Charles G. Sotir Journalism Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible from funds donated by alumnus Charles G. Sotir and his wife, Mary, of Evanston, Illinois. The award is given to a journalism undergraduate student with academic merit.

Zulema Herrera

Christopher Allen Scholarship
The Christopher L. Allen Scholarship is awarded to academically meritorious juniors and seniors enrolled in the College of Media or in the Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The scholarship was established in memory of Christopher Allen, a 1983 graduate of Illinois who had an outstanding political career, both at the state and national levels.

Michael DeLuca
Garrett Miller
Ivan Sanchez

College of Media Alumni Scholarship
Established in 1943 by alumni donations, this endowment provides awards to outstanding College of Media students, based on scholarship, character and professional achievement.

Margaret Morris

College of Media Annual Fund Scholarship
These scholarships are funded through contributions to the College of Media Annual Fund from alumni and friends. They are given to students based on their scholarship, character and professional achievement.

Noah Cowell
Zhen Qin
Zoe Replinger
Liang-Ke Zhao

College of Media Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship is made available each year to outstanding undergraduate students within any college degree program and is based on financial need, academic merits, or both. Gifts to the fund are made annually by alumni and friends.

Ayesha Baweja
Carmel Elyssia Bumaa
Emma Wilbur

Daily Illini Journalism Scholarship Fund
This fund was established in 2020 by Sarah Min (BS '93, journalism) and Matthew Pincus of the Sarah Min and Matthew Pinkus Foundation, to benefit undergraduate journalism students who are committed to working at least one semester at The Daily Illini. Sarah Min is a digital media consultant in New York City.

Carson Gourdie

Dana M. Ewell Memorial Placement Awards
Established in 2003, this award honors Dana M. Ewell in name and legacy. Ms. Ewell was an instructor, lecturer, academic programs coordinator and placement/internship coordinator in the Department of Journalism. Whether in the classroom teaching a course on editing or reporting or in her office providing information and guidance on internships or job placement, Ms. Ewell was always accessible for students. She became a mentor and friend to many. This award is presented to a junior, senior or graduate student who is studying journalism.

Acacia Hernandez
Madeline Kuhl

Daniel and Nancy Balz Endowed Fund in Journalism
In 2013, Dan and Nancy Balz brought their love of an Illinois education to life by establishing their first scholarship. Dan received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism and went on to be an internationally recognized correspondent for The Washington Post. Nancy has degrees from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Library and Information Science. The fund from their endowment will be used for either scholarship or internship support for journalism students in the College of Media.

Jonna Harris

David Shaul Endowed Scholarship in Journalism
David Shaul (BS '63, journalism), personified what local television news should be. He was an integral part of Champaign-Urbana, as a professional broadcaster and citizen, for more than five decades. He was an ethical journalist known for his experience, professionalism and rich knowledge of central Illinois. He set the standard for quality television journalism and was honored by several friends and family who created this scholarship in his honor in 2018. The scholarship honors an undergraduate journalism student based on academic merit.

Josefina Alameda

Dawn M. Turner and Kim D. Turner Endowed Scholarship in Media
Dawn M. Turner (BS ’87 journalism) a former columnist and reporter for the Chicago Tribune, established this scholarship in 2018 in honor of her late sister Kim. The fund supports undergraduate scholarships and experiential learning opportunities for College of Media students with a demonstrated financial need, giving preference to African American students. Dawn hopes to inspire students to seek out untold stories to counteract the negativity we often see in the media.

Morgan Payne

Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell Scholarship
This scholarship fund was established in 2018 by Deanna Frautschi (BS ’70) and her husband Alan Bedell, to benefit College of Media juniors and seniors, regardless of their major. Deanna retired after a 33-year career as executive vice president of communications and human resources for COUNTRY Financial and wants College of Media students to reap the benefits of an Illinois education, just as she did.

Grace Tessitore

Donald E. Chamberlain Journalism Scholarship
This award is presented to outstanding journalism students on the basis of academic performance and promise of success in the field. The award was established in 1956 by the Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association in memory of Mr. Chamberlain. The ILCA dates back to 1946. Mr. Chamberlain worked with state and legislative leaders to establish modern pressroom facilities for the association in 1947.

Scarlett O’Hara

Donald P. Mullally Internship at Illinois Public Media
A scholar and true visionary for public radio and television, Don Mullally served as General Manager at the NPR and PBS stations licensed to the University of Illinois from the early 1970s until his retirement in 2005 – well into the Internet age. The Donald P. Mullally Endowment was established with gifts made in his honor at the time of his retirement. Mullally passed away in early 2015. Interest from the endowed fund supports a paid internship at WILL in the fall and spring semesters each year.

Olivia Butts

Ed Wilks Memorial Scholarship in Journalism
This scholarship was established in 1988 by the Ambassadors, a St. Louis charitable and civic organization. Mr. Wilks graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950 and went on to a fine career in journalism. He worked with The Associated Press and for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he was executive sports editor for most of his 34 years in the business. This scholarship is for undergraduate journalism students interested in newspaper careers.

Owen Henderson

Florence Hood Miner Scholarship in Journalism
This endowment was established in 1998 by Florence Hood Miner of Castle Rock, Colorado. Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students in journalism, with a preference to students working for The Daily Illini or a similar student newspaper.

Jackson Janes

Forsyth Family Endowed Scholarship
Created in 2014 by Illinois alumni Bill and Martha Forsyth, this renewable scholarship is awarded based on academic merit. The Forsyths know that media is a rapidly changing industry. This scholarship will help students gain the experience they need to make an impact in the industry and be innovative leaders.

Gianna Sobieski

Gerald P. Johnson Scholarship
A 1951 graduate of Illinois, Gerald Johnson was an engaged community member and great enthusiast of local sports. To honor Gerry and his lifelong interest in sports broadcasting, his family established the Gerald P. Johnson Endowment Fund in the fall of 2013. The fund provides merit-based awards for either scholarships or internships to undergraduates with an interest in broadcast journalism.

Anthony Pasquale

Gerald Robert Bland Scholarship
Established by Wilma R. Bland from her estate to honor her late husband, Gerald Robert Bland, this scholarship is presented to students in journalism.

Jesus Islas

Glenn Hanson Scholarship in Visual Communication
Presented in honor of longtime journalism faculty member Glenn Hanson, this scholarship is awarded to a journalism student studying graphic arts.

Shelbi Voss

Glenn Holman Roberts Journalism Scholarship
This award was established by the late Glenn H. Roberts, a 1947 University of Illinois journalism graduate. Mr. Roberts retired after 39 years as the vice president of research for The Des Moines Register and then was the head of his own research firm. The fund provides scholarships to juniors or seniors who have proven ability in journalism courses, have extracurricular journalistic experience and demonstrate a particular interest in print journalism.

Tristen Kissack

Goldie Maxine Cord and Marcus Franklin Cord Scholarship
This scholarship was established in memory of Goldie Maxine Cord, a 1936 journalism graduate. The scholarship is presented to a third-year journalism student.

Jada Fulcher

H. Maxine Gladding Greenwood Scholarship
This award was established in 2001 by James Greenwood to honor his wife, Maxine, a 1938 journalism graduate. Mrs. Greenwood was a feature writer for the Moline Daily Dispatch and was the first woman on its display advertising staff. The fund provides scholarships, fellowships and teaching awards as appropriate. Students receiving scholarships are chosen for academic achievement and financial need.

Luis Velazquez-Perez

Harold E. and Dorothy Johnson Sortor Journalism Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1988 by Harold E. and Dorothy Johnson Sortor of Savannah, Georgia, who wished to acknowledge their appreciation to the University of Illinois by providing financial recognition to outstanding journalism students. The scholarship is based on academic merit.

Vivian La

Harold Gustave Roettger Memorial Award
This award is presented to an outstanding graduating senior in media and is based on academic performance and membership in Kappa Tau Alpha, a national communications honorary society.

Evan Hawkins
Alisha Kumar

Helen C. and Theodore B. Peterson Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1998 in memory of Theodore B. Peterson, former dean of the College of Communications, now the College of Media. Dean Peterson’s wife, Helen Peterson, passed away in 2007, and the scholarship now bears both of their names.

Chrisoula Motamed

Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Scholars Graduate Fellowship
In honor of the late Ted Peterson, former Dean of the College of Communications and magazine journalism giant, this fellowship is awarded based upon academic merit and professional promise to graduate students enrolled in the Department of Journalism.

Raleigh Butler
Briana Collins
Da Yeon Eom (Spring 2021)
Gavin Good
Tatiania Perry

Ian Fleming Foundation Undergraduate Research Scholarship
The Ian Fleming Foundation (IFF) Undergraduate Research Scholarship has been donated by the Ian Fleming Foundation to honor the late Ian Lancaster Fleming, a journalist, critic, travel writer, and author of the James Bond novels. The IFF was formed in 1992 by Dr. Michael L. VanBlaricum, John Cord and Douglas Redenius, and this scholarship was established by the IFF in 2014. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide incentive and support to outstanding undergraduate students to become involved in primary media and/or film research with College of Media faculty. Funds are offered each year to undergraduate students who possess an outstanding track record of academic achievement along with independent research potential.

Annalee Mattson
Robert Siezkowski
Xiaoye “Sherry” Zhang

Illinois Broadcasters Association Scholarship in Journalism
This scholarship was established in 2004 for an undergraduate journalism student majoring in broadcast journalism who demonstrates talent, commitment, excellence and professional ambition in broadcasting. The student must have a superior record of academic performance and be the top student preparing to enter their senior year.

Delaney Appelhans

Iris Chang Journalism Award
This award was established in memory of Iris Chang by her family and friends. Ms. Chang was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and grew up in Champaign-Urbana, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at the University of Illinois in 1989. She established herself as an invaluable source of information about Asia, human rights and Asian American history with her international best seller, The Rape of Nanking. Seniors in journalism are eligible.

Tsz Ham (Kevin) Tai

Jay Lin Scholarship
Jay Lin (MS '89, advertising), the first mainland Chinese student to receive a master’s degree from oversees, created the Jay Lin Scholarship Fund in 2018. It was his dream to someday give back to the University of Illinois’ next generation of advertising students after receiving support via the James Webb Young Scholarship when he was a student. This scholarship honors an advertising student in the college.

Caroline Field

Joe Sutton Honorary Scholarship
This award was established by the late June Sleeman, University of Illinois journalism alumna, and her late husband, Tom Sleeman, who was president of Unocal Chemicals in Los Angeles, to honor Joe Sutton, former assistant dean, associate professor in journalism and editor of Illinois Alumni News. Joe was a key person in the instructional program of the Department of Journalism and had the responsibility for the core of news writing and editing courses. The award provides a scholarship to a female print journalism student enrolled in the College of Media—who is or has been on the staff of The Daily Illini—on the basis of academic performance and promise of success in journalism.

Carolina Garibay

John H. and Sylvia N. Schacht Memorial Scholarship
John Schacht was a longtime journalism faculty member who was an editor of The Daily Illini as an undergraduate. His father was previously editor-in-chief of the paper. Sylvia N. Schacht taught English at the University for 25 years. This scholarship was created by the Schacht family in honor of their parents. It is presented to an undergraduate student who is a staff member of The Daily Illini.

Kenyon Edmond

John Russell Heitman Fellowship (Summer 2020)
Mildred Yates Heitman created this fund in 1992 in honor of her husband who taught journalism at the University of Illinois in the 1930s. Mr. Heitman owned the Lake Forester newspaper and Heitman Printing plant in Lake Forest. Mrs. Heitman grew up in Rantoul and was a graduate of the university. The fund supports graduate fellowships and assistantships in journalism.

Isaiah Baba
Daria Makhneva

John T. Trebilcock Memorial Award
This memorial fund was established to honor the late John Trebilcock, a journalism teacher. The award recognizes a Daily Illini reporter judged to have done the year's best investigative reporting. The Daily Illini staff chooses the recipient and matches the College of Media award.

Matt Troher

Jules and Jody Anne Becker Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the late Jules Becker and Jody Anne Becker to assist journalism or advertising students. Mr. Becker, of Becker & Company Public Relations-Advertising in San Rafael, California, attributed his outstanding journalistic education and solid foundation for life to the college.

Audrey Piemontese

Karen Lucas Petitte Endowed Scholarship in Journalism
Karen Petitte holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois. While at Illinois, Karen was among the first women selected as editor-in-chief of The Daily Illini. She has worked for the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Daily News, Consumers Digest, Modern Healthcare, and Modern Physician, the latter two published by Chicago-based Crain Communications, Inc. She has served as the first woman president of the Chicago Newspaper Guild and as Chicago’s consumer affairs commissioner under Mayor Jane Byrne. In 2007 she was inducted into the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame and the Illini Media Hall of Fame. The award is given to a student majoring in journalism based on academic merit and financial need.

Eunice Alpasan

Klues Scholars
In 2015, the Jack M. Klues and Elizabeth F. Klues Family Foundation established an endowment in the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising to fund scholarships and experiential learning opportunities for underrepresented students with significant financial need. The gift was initiated by Jack Klues, a 1977 advertising alum, who began his career as an account executive in the media department at Leo Burnett. In 1996, he was part of the management team that created Starcom, and in 2003, following the acquisition by Publicis Groupe, he served as global CEO for Publicis Groupe Media. From 2007 until his retirement in 2012, he served as global CEO and Directoire member with oversight of media agencies, as well as Digitas and Razorfish under Publicis’ holding company’s digital and media agency, Vivaki. Mr. Klues has served in many volunteer leadership roles for the College of Media, including the James Webb Young Board, and has served on the board of directors for the Off the Street Club in Chicago for more than 25 years. His family’s gift will assist the college in its goal of building a more diverse student population, which ultimately improves diversity within the advertising industry.

Tiarah Golliday-Murry
Ivana Salto Lopez
Joana Salto Lopez
Anthony Tavarez

Lulu Kelly Nardine Awards
Three awards are given to journalism students who have demonstrated excellence in writing. The late Gretchen Nardine Doris of Tampa, Florida, established this scholarship in memory of her mother.

Pari Apostolakos
Delaney Appelhans
Jose Zepeda

Lynne Blanton Student Travel Fund
Marilyn Dean DeRamus Blanton established this endowment to provide travel funds for graduate students in the Institute of Communications Research (ICR) in honor of her daughter, Lynne Blanton, who earned a Ph.D. in 1979 from the Institute under the direction of Professor Albert L. Kreiling.

Chen Chen
Un Chae Chung
Jingyi Gu
Seo Yoon Lee
Hye Soo Nah
Giang Pham
Rik Ray
Adrian Wong

Marian and Barney Brody Creative Feature Article Writing Awards in Journalism
These awards were established in 1996 through the generosity of Marian Boruck Brody, a 1937 journalism graduate, who passed away in 2016. The awards are presented to journalism graduate or undergraduate students judged to have reported and written the best student feature articles during the academic year.

Marissa Plescia (1^st place) – Formerly incarcerated man dedicates life to anti-violence work
Morgan Myles (2^nd place) – Perakis Not Scared of Lions and Tigers and Pigs

Marilyn Miller Kaytor Fellowship
Established from the estate of Marilyn Miller Kaytor, one of the first journalist to write about food for a general audience, this endowed fund supports fellowships for graduate students enrolled in the Department of Journalism.

Blake Dietz
Mariah Guzman
Taylor Howard
Marissa Plescia

Marilyn Miller Kaytor Scholarships
Established from the estate of Marilyn Miller Kaytor, one of the first journalists to make a career of writing about food for a mass audience, this endowed fund supports scholarships for undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of Journalism.

Eunice Alpasan
Alex Bahena
Zain Bando
Rebecca Bertram
Taylor Castro
Connor Ciecko
Alexander Correa
Karley Crady
Madelyn Foster
Michael Grovier
Gabrielle Hajduk
Kaleigh Haworth
Acacia Hernandez
Jackson Janes
Joshua Kim
Mariela Lozano
Sidney Madden
Noah Nelson
Anthony Pasquale
Isabella Pondelicek
Danielle Rhody
Alliyah Rumbolt-Lemond
Angel Saldivar
Gwyneth Skiles
Matthew Troher
Sydney Wood
Julia Youman
Isabella Zarate

Mary Fulton Rothermel Scholarship
This fund is named in honor of Mary Fulton Rothermel, a 1957 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a BA in Teaching of English, by her husband James P. Rothermel, a 1958 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a BS in Speech Communication. The net income of the fund is used to support scholarships in the Department of Journalism, with preference to students who plan to pursue a career in investigative journalism.

Samantha Boyle
Claire O’Brien

Media Underrepresented Scholarship Fund
Endowed in 2020 by alumni donations, this scholarship provides awards to outstanding College of Media underrepresented students, based on scholarship, character, and financial need.

Meagan Vicens

Murray Kalis Awards for Creativity in Advertising
Murray Kalis, '61 ADV, had a long and successful career in the Advertising business, creating Kalis, Inc. He spent most of his career as a creative director and established this fund in 2020 to emphasize to students the importance of creativity in advertising. The awards are given to students majoring in Advertising in recognition of excellence in creativity in advertising. The criteria for these awards includes: smart positioning, outstanding creative concept, strong execution, and a "wow" factor.

Samantha Blanc—Best Campaign (Claritin) and Best Portfolio
Katie Roscher—Best Single Advertisement (Popeyes)

Nelio A. Florio and Patricia M. Florio Scholarship in Journalism
Patricia Florio established this scholarship in honor of her husband, the late Nelio Florio, a 1938 journalism graduate. Nelio was a sports writer on The Daily Illini and served as sports editor of Trans-Radio News, the Southtown Economist, the Garfieldian, and the Austin News. Later he joined Western Electric and served for 31 years as editor of its newspaper and then at the Oak Park Journal as sports editor. The award is presented to an undergraduate journalism student.

Chrisoula Motamed

Paul C. Fulton Scholarship
This scholarship fund was created by Mrs. Ester Fulton to honor her late husband, Paul, a longtime advertising executive with the Chicago Tribune. The scholarship is awarded to juniors or seniors who maintain academic excellence and demonstrate proficiency in their field.

Chaowei Zhang
Junyan Zhang

Paul Schrage-McDonald’s Fellowship in Advertising
Paul D. Schrage received his master’s degree in advertising from the College of Communications in 1959. A marketing wizard for McDonald’s Corporation since 1967, Mr. Schrage deployed the “Golden Arches” synonymous with the fast-food giant and is credited with many of the chain’s other key innovations. In 2005, the Paul Schrage-McDonald’s Corporation Graduate Fellowship in Advertising Fund was established to support excellence in graduate education in advertising.

Alexus Moore
Jada Peterson

Paula L. Gottschalk Scholarship
The estate of Paula Gottschalk (BS ’66, advertising) provides fellowships for advertising students and scholarships for undergraduate students in journalism.

Cameron Ezell

Raymond Clamage Prize in Journalism
In 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Clamage established a fund with the University in memory of their son, Raymond, who served on The Daily Illini staff from 1942 to 1943 and was killed in action in World War II. This award is presented to the member of The Daily Illini staff not holding a senior position who has contributed the most to the progress and quality of the newspaper during the year.

Ethan Simmons

Richard Hildwein Memorial Photojournalism Award
Presented in honor of longtime faculty member Richard “Dick” Hildwein, this scholarship is awarded to a journalism student with an interest in photojournalism.

Amanda Brennan

Richard Tuttle Orr Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1993 by Richard Tuttle Orr of Chicago, a University of Illinois journalism graduate. He was a Chicago Tribune staff member, and served as president of the Chicago Press Club and the Newspaper Farm Editors of America. The award provides scholarships based on academic merit and/or financial need to undergraduate students who are majoring or intend to major in journalism.

Farrah Anderson
Margaret Burnetti
Naomi Diaz
Ehkhjin Erdenekhuyag
Madeline Kuhl
Haley Rampage
Shelbi Voss
Jose Zepeda

Robert N. and Lorraine M. Wilt Scholarship
Robert and Lorraine Wilt were journalism graduates and later co-publishers of the Muncy Luminary in Muncy, Pennsylvania. Initially Robert Wilt established this scholarship in memory of his wife. After Mr. Wilt’s death, an additional bequest was added to the original fund, and now the scholarship honors them both. The scholarship is presented to an outstanding female journalism student.

Kaleigh Haworth

Robert O. Endres Endowed Internship at Illinois Public Media
Robert O. Endres created this fund in 2017 to support internships with WILL. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the College of Media and during his time at Illinois he worked at both WPGU and WILL. Endres had a long, distinguished career as a projectionist including 25 years at Radio City Music Hall.

Brielle Scullark

Roger Ebert Fellows in Media Criticism
In recognition of Roger Ebert’s career in journalism, the Roger Ebert Fellows program was established in 2015 to provide learning experiences that focus on critical thinking and interpretative journalism. As a key component of the Roger Ebert Center, a select group of Illinois students experience in-depth mentoring by professional critics as they attend film festivals and write for Illinois Public Media and The Daily Illini—Roger’s beloved student newspaper.

Casey Daly
Grace Johnson
Scarlett O’Hara

S. Watson and Elizabeth S. Dunn Fellowship
Samuel Watson Dunn was the first PhD graduate from the University of Illinois with an advertising focus. He later returned to the University of Illinois to head the Department of Advertising from 1966-1977. Dr. Dunn was a major force in advertising education, especially in the graduate arena. This fellowship program was created by Dr. and Mrs. Dunn to honor his legacy.

Xiaohan (Catherine) Hu

Wilkey Scholarship for Print Journalism
This scholarship was established by the Wilkey family in 2007 to reward a junior or senior enrolled in print journalism who displays good mentoring abilities among other worthy attributes.

Jonah Perez

Wilma M. Haist Journalism Memorial Scholarship
This memorial fund was a bequest by Wilma M. Haist to honor her late husband, Lt. Col Glade F. Haist, United States Air Force, Class of 1936. The scholarship is to assist journalism students in need of aid and who strive to report news as it really is.

Sophia Morano

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