Scholarships
Earn Honor and Recognition
The J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication offers a wide variety of scholarships and awards, listed below, that recognize student achievement in and out of the classroom. In general, these scholarships are available to juniors and seniors, selected by their department’s faculty. Scholarships for incoming freshman are highlighted below (*).
To be considered, complete the common scholarship application or, where indicated, the application specific to the scholarship. For many of the scholarships, however, you don’t need to apply; faculty recommend the recipients.
College and University Awards and Scholarships
*The J. William and Mary Diederich Scholarship is the college’s premier scholarship. This full scholarship includes tuition, board, fees and stipend for a Diederich College of Communication student and can be renewed annually. It’s awarded each year to one incoming freshman who demonstrates leadership potential through interviews and an essay competition. For more information, click here.
Bill & Mary Diederich Scholarship Awarded to a student with a demonstrated interest in Internet journalism; based on faculty recommendation. Bill and Mary Diederich were both graduates of the College of Journalism. Bill Diederich went on to a successful career with Landmark Communication and helped launch the Weather Channel.
Diederich College of Communication Scholars Award
Awarded to a student from each major and the graduate program who has demonstrated leadership potential. Based on faculty recommendation.
*Marquette University Diederich College of Communication
Essay Competition Scholarship Four-year award presented to incoming freshmen, based on an essay competition held at Marquette in conjunction with an open house typically in mid-February. For more information, see http://www.marquette.edu/student/ugrad/scholarships_competitions.shtml.
Gerald E. Buldak Scholarship Awarded based on faculty recommendation to a Diederich College of Communication student. Gerald Buldak, a longtime public relations executive, recently retired as senior vice-president of public affairs at Banc One Corporation. He is currently a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board in the Diederich College of Communication.
Christopher Crosby Farley Scholarship Merit award presented to a junior for creativity and positive use of humor, based on application and audition. Chris Farley, a Marquette University College of Speech graduate, became a popular comedian and actor. Perhaps best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, Chris also starred in several hit movies before his untimely death in 1997.
Advertising and Public Relations
Donald and Barbara Abert Milwaukee Foundation Scholarship Awarded by the Milwaukee Foundation based on faculty recommendation to communication students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. Donald Abert began in the promotions department at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in 1936. He rose through the ranks to become chairman of the board before he retired.
Business Marketing Association Academic Scholarship Awarded to a student who shows exceptional achievement and potential in business marketing communication.
Jerry Lynn Memorial Award Presented to a senior in advertising whose scholastic accomplishments, school activities and involvement in the professional community show a high potential for a productive career in advertising. Jerry Lynn founded the advertising major in the early 1980s. He was a dedicated scholar and a leader in advertising and academia. Based on faculty recommendation.
Public Relations Student of the Year Award Presented to a senior in public relations whose academic performance and leadership indicate outstanding potential for success and whose work and dedication exemplify the high standards and top performance demanded in public relations. Based on faculty recommendation.
Broadcast and Electronic Communication
Walter Jay and Clara Charlotte Damm Scholarship Awarded by the Milwaukee Foundation based on faculty recommendation to students pursuing careers in radio, television, news and entertainment communication media. Walter Damm was the general manager of Journal Company Radio and pioneered FM radio in Milwaukee in the 1940s.
Kay and Don McNeill Communication Scholarship Presented to students who hold news or editorial management positions at Marquette Radio or MUTV and are recommended by faculty. Don McNeill was a Marquette University graduate known for his network radio program, “The Breakfast Club,” which ran from the 1930s into the 1960s.
Kay and Don McNeill Creative Efforts in Student Broadcasting Award Awarded to students at Marquette Radio and/or MUTV for outstanding or significant creative efforts while making positive contributions to student broadcasting. Based on faculty recommendation.
Kenneth Shuler Achievement and Merit Award Presented to an outstanding junior on the basis of past efforts and future potential in the production and/or technical aspects of broadcast or audio-visual media. Ken was a highly valued member of Marquette’s Instructional Media Center, which was renamed the Kenneth Shuler Instructional Media Center in his memory. Application available in February each year.
Robert U. Turner Award Presented to an outstanding junior with high academic achievement and exceptional professional promise in broadcasting. Selected by committee. Robert Turner, the first director of Marquette’s Instructional Media Center, established this award prior to his untimely death in 1982.
George P. Wensel III Memorial Scholarship Presented to a junior who possesses an excellent intellect and knowledge of the subject matter, true leadership traits, a sense of humanity, relentless drive, passion and humor, all reflecting the values of George P. Wensel III. Selected by the chairs of Broadcast and Electronic Communication and Performing Arts.
Communication Studies
Dean Hugo Hellman Academic Achievement Award Instituted during the University’s Centennial Year, this award is named in memory of Dr. Hugo Hellman, dean of the College of Speech from 1941 through 1969. The award is presented to a full-time student completing junior year and majoring in communication studies. Recipients must have excelled in scholarship and service to the university. Selection based on application, interview and faculty recommendation.
Journalism
Pete and Bonnie Axthelm Scholarship Awarded to one or more students committed to a career in writing.
Jerry Dretzka Award Awarded for the best fiction contribution published in the Marquette Journal, determined by faculty. Jerry Dretzka was an editor of the Tribune while a student at Marquette University.
Ione Quinby Griggs Scholarship Presented by the Milwaukee Foundation and awarded based on scholastic ability, determined by faculty. Ione Quinby Griggs was a longtime reporter and columnist for the Milwaukee Journal and one of the first women to work in the Journal newsroom.
Dion Henderson Memorial Award Presented to a journalism student who has displayed high quality and promise as a writer. Based on faculty recommendation. Dion Henderson was Milwaukee bureau chief for the Associated Press, an author and part-time journalism faculty member.
Journalism Award Presented to a hournalism student with a demonstrated record of high academic achievement and strong leadership skills.
Albert C. Kalmbach Scholarship Presented to a Journalism student toward pursuit of a journalism career. Based on faculty recommendation. Albert Kalmbach was the founder of Kalmbach Publishing, which publishes 14 magazines and has more than 250 books in print.
Margaret Bradley Kehl Memorial Scholarship Presented to one or more journalism students for their academic achievement.
George A. and Bernadette C. Mann Scholarship Awarded to a student enrolled in the department of journalism. Based on faculty recommendation.
Jay McGill Publishing Management Scholarship Given to a student with demonstrated proficiency in the study of publishing and publishing management.
Milwaukee Press Club Ray Kenney Memorial Scholarship Presented by the Milwaukee Press Club to a junior or senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic and professional ability. Ray Kenney was Business Editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel and later the Milwaukee Journal.
Minority Journalism Student Award Presented to a minority journalism student for excellent work in the major.
Edward F. Pepan Scholarship Awarded to an undergraduate student in news/editorial journalism, based on faculty recommendation. Ed Pepan was a longtime assistant to the dean in the College of Journalism and later the College of Communication.
Anne Powers Writing Award Presented to a journalism major for excellence in writing. The author of 14 published novels, Anne Powers Schwartz was a part time writing instructor in journalism for many years.
Jessica Powers Scholarship Presented to an upperclassmen or graduate student who has expressed an interest in pursuing a career in religious journalism. Based on faculty recommendation.
George Reedy Award Given to a journalism major with a demonstrated interest in media ethics. George Reedy was dean and a longtime journalism faculty member. Before coming to Marquette University, he was press secretary to President Lyndon Johnson. Based on faculty recommendation.
Paul Salsini Award Given for the best nonfiction contribution published in the Marquette Journal, determined by faculty. Paul Salsini has been a writing coach and part-time faculty member in Journalism for more than 35 years. He is a former writing coach and editor at the Milwaukee Journal.
Harvey & Geraldine Schwandner Scholarship Awarded by the Milwaukee Foundation, based on faculty recommendation, for a news sequence in the Diederich College of Communication. Harvey Schwandner, a legendary city editor of the Milwaukee Journal, was known for his integrity.
Anne Powers Schwartz Writing Award Presented to a journalism major for excellence in writing, based on faculty recommendation. The author of 14 published novels, Anne Powers Schwartz was a part-time writing instructor in journalism for many years.
John and Leocadia Shinners Award Presented to a journalism student of high academic standing who shows particular interest in community journalism or editorial writing. The Shinners published a group of weekly newspapers in the Milwaukee suburbs. Based on faculty recommendation.
Silverman Family Scholarship Awarded to a journalism student for career assistance, based on faculty recommendation. The Silverman family has been a friend and donor to Marquette University for many years.
Rosemary Rocca Tlachac Memorial Scholarship Award given to one or more journalism students previously inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu. Rosemary Rocca Tlachac was a journalism graduate.
Betty Washington Scholarship Award given to a journalism student to help ensure a free, fair and representative press. Betty Washington was a long time Milwaukee Journal reporter and one of the first minority journalists hired by the Milwaukee Journal.
Mattiebelle Woods Scholarship Awarded to a journalism student with a demonstrated leadership in community service.
Outstanding Journalism Graduate of 2008 Award Presented to a journalism senior with demonstrated leadership ability and a commitment to excellence. Based on faculty recommendation.
Performing Arts
*Association of Marquette University Women Scholarship Four-year award presented to students with demonstrated potential in the field of theatre arts. Awarded based on auditions and interviews held during February scholarship competition and open house.
*Ello and Guido Brink Scholarship Four-year award presented annually to an entering student with demonstrated success in design/technical theatre. Guido Brink was a recognized artist and teacher who played a leading role in Milwaukee’s visual arts community. Ello Brink was an accomplished editor and architectural critic. Together they were major contributors to art education and the arts in Milwaukee.
Elizabeth Rowe Hughes Memorial Scholarship Award given to one or more theatre arts majors to further their education in the field of drama.
Rev. John J. Walsh, S.J. Performing Arts Endowed Scholarship Presented to a junior whose extraordinary acting talent and discipline indicates genuine professional success. Selection based on auditions. Father Walsh transformed the Marquette University Players from a co-curricular activity into a nationally recognized program. His vision became the Department of Performing Arts with a major in theatre.
*Marquette University Scholarship for the Performing Arts Four-year award presented to a new student through an audition and interview process, held during the February scholarship competition and open house.
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