Journalism Undergraduate Scholarships

The Automotive Press Association - Al Vinikour Journalism Scholarship: Ashlin Maguire

The APA was formed to provide a forum for automotive journalists, PR representatives and others to exchange information about the auto industry. The APA established this scholarship in honor of Al Vinikour, an APA volunteer and longtime freelance automotive journalist who died in 2016.

Benjamin J. Burns Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Journalism: Shawntay Lewis

This Scholarship honors and memorializes Wayne State University's long-time Director of the Journalism Program, and founder of its Journalism Institute for Minorities, now the Journalism Institute for Media Diversity. A career journalist-reporter, editor and publisher-Burns joined Wayne State's Journalism Department in 1988 and was director of the Journalism Program until his death in 2012. The Scholarship was initiated by his wife Beverly but is supported by many who admired and respected Ben Burns.

Michael Freedman Endowed Scholarship in Journalism: Camille Williams

This scholarship honors Michael Freedman, a Detroit native and graduate of Wayne State University who had a successful career in journalism and politics. He started in Detroit, where he was a reporter, anchor and news director. Freedman became general manager of CBS Radio Network in New York, managing editor of the Broadcast Division of United Press International, leadership press secretary to Michigan Congressman and House Majority Whip David Bonior, and a professor of journalism at The George Washington University.

Armand and Eleanor Gebert Endowed Scholarship: Owen Armentrout, Madeline Beck, Kaleigh Gieraltowski, William Johnson, Gabriella Lockaby, Angela Martinez

The namesakes of the Armand and Eleanor Gebert Endowed Scholarships have deep ties to journalism in the Motor City. Armand Gebert joined the "police desk" of the Detroit News, where he worked for 43 years. Eleanor Breitmeyer joined the Detroit News' Women's Department, became Club Editor, and then became Society Editor. She and Armand met at the News and married in 1976. After Armand retired, he taught journalism at Wayne State for 10 years.

Robert W. and Louise A. Giles Broadcast Journalism Endowed Scholarship: Maleia Brown

The Robert W. and Louise A. Giles Broadcast Journalism Endowed Scholarship benefits students studying multi-platform journalism, which includes news reporting and producing, with a focus on audio and video storytelling. This scholarship fund was established to recognize scholastic achievement, to encourage continued progress, and the provide assistance to students in financing their education in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts.

Joyce Skinner Endowed Journalism Scholarship: Elijah Taylor, Sydney Waelchli, Lily Woityra

Joyce Skinner established this fund to recognize scholastic achievement, to encourage continued progress, and to assist journalism students in financing their education at Wayne State University.

George M. and Mabel H. Slocum Scholarship in Journalism

This scholarship was established to recognize scholastic achievement, to encourage continued progress, and to provide assistance to students majoring in Journalism in financing their education at Wayne State University.

W. Sprague Holden Memorial Scholarship in Journalism: Emma Churchill, Natalie Davies, Tayler Simpson

This scholarship was established to honor Willis Sprague Holden, who first wrote for newspapers in Grand Rapids, Detroit and San Francisco, and from 1940 to 1946 for the Detroit Free Press. Holden served as Chair of Wayne State University's Department of Journalism from its beginning in 1949 until his death in 1973. He was a prolific writer, contributing to newspapers and magazines.

Renee Skoglund Endowed Student Award

This fund was established in honor of Renee Skoglund, who earned her Bachelor of Arts in English in 1989 from Wayne State University. She was an award winning editor and columnist for the Observer and Eccentric Newspapers of southeastern Michigan. She enrolled at Wayne State after raising her family and found her passion and voice through writing.