INDIANAPOLIS-The Freedom Forum, in conjunction with the NCAA, has awarded eight $3,000 scholarships for undergraduate students studying sports journalism at NCAA member institutions.
The one-year, nonrenewable scholarships are awarded to students who are entering their senior year of study during the 2004-05 academic year, and who are majoring in journalism, sports journalism, or who have campus sports journalism experience. The program is designed to foster freedoms of speech and press, while also promoting quality sports journalism education at NCAA colleges and universities. Since 1992, the Freedom Forum has awarded 95 $3,000 scholarships, totaling more than $285,000.
The 2004-05 Freedom Forum/NCAA Sports Journalism Scholarship recipients are: Brian Thomas Costa, George Washington University; Joshua Paul Wright, University of Idaho; David Michael Wiechmann, Texas Tech University; Brian M. Singler, University of Alaska Anchorage; Erik Douglas Heinonen, University of Oregon; Nate Grant Frandsen, Iowa State University; Chelsey Kay Thomas, Trinity University (Texas); and Christopher Evans Drexel, Arizona State University.
"These scholarships are investments in the future," said Charles L. Overby, chairman and chief executive officer of the Freedom Forum. "The NCAA is working to build the next generation, and we're pleased to help in that effort." Overby is also a member of the NCAA Leadership Advisory Board.
The Freedom Forum, with offices in Arlington, Virginia and at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people. The foundation focuses on three priorities: the Newseum, the interactive museum of news in Arlington, Virginia; First Amendment issues; and diversity in journalism.
Applications for the scholarships are judged by a selection committee chosen by the Freedom Forum and the NCAA. In addition to completing the application form, students must supply a college transcript, three samples of sports journalism work and a letter of recommendation. The deadline for applications is December of each year.
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