Journalism Scholarships

Bob Becker Journalism Scholarship

 

This scholarship was set up by friends of veteran journalist Bob Becker (Grand Rapids Press sports editor for three decades until his retirement in 2007), who has dedicated his professional career to covering high school, collegiate and professional sports in Michigan and across the nation.

 

Bob Becker helped change the face of sports coverage in Michigan, as both a pioneer in the coverage and sponsorship of women’s sports in the earliest stages of Title IX, and in the hiring and training of minority and female journalists in a field that, for generations  was the exclusive domain of white males.

 

This scholarship is awarded to one or more Cornerstone students majoring in journalism who possess the potential to become outstanding journalists at media companies in West Michigan, Michigan and across the United States of America.

 

The hands-on journalistic skills learned in the Cornerstone University journalism program will place its alumni in a prime position for professional writing and editing jobs with newspapers, magazines, TV/radio news outlets and web publications.

 

While at Cornerstone, journalism students will be able to practice and sharpen their writing gifts and talents for publications ranging from the award-winning campus newspaper, The Herald, to off-campus print and electronic publications and media outlets.

 

The Journalism Department at Cornerstone University, under the leadership of veteran newspaper editor, owner and university professor Alan D. Blanchard, created a journalism minor in 2001 and a journalism major in 2006. It also created and has run since summer 2003 an annual summer high school camp, Cornerstone Journalism Institute, which introduces students to basic skills in journalism and photojournalism.

 

Cornerstone University students and alumni have worked as interns and/or currently work as full-time journalists at these media organizations:

 

The Grand Rapids Press, Ann Arbor News, Holland Sentinel, The Daily (Greenville, Mich.) News, Ionia Sentinel-Standard, The Pioneer of Big Rapids, Mich., The Clare (Mich.) Sentinel, The Rockford (Mich.) Independent, Hillsdale (Mich.) Daily News, Advance (Jenison, Mich.) Newspapers, WOOD-TV 8, FOX-17, 91.3 WCSG-FM and Mission Network News.

 

Cornerstone University

Bob Becker Journalism Scholarship

 

Established 2008

 

History and Purpose

This scholarship was established by friends of veteran journalist Bob Becker, Grand Rapids Press sports editor for more than 30 years until his retirement in 2007, who has dedicated his professional career to covering high school, collegiate and professional sports in Michigan and across the nation. He helped change the face of sports coverage in Michigan, as both a pioneer in the coverage and sponsorship of women’s sports in the earliest stages of Title IX, and in the hiring and training of minority journalists in a field that, for generations was the exclusive domain of white males. This scholarship is granted to incoming journalism majors who possess the potential to become outstanding journalists at media companies in West Michigan, Michigan and across the United States of America.

Amount of Award                                                        

Cornerstone University Endowments represent designated gifts that are prudently invested so that a board-specified portion (currently 5%) of the total balance may be used each year to support the designated program or scholarship. Since financial market volatility can result in negative investment returns, program or scholarship support may continue even if invested balances fall below the original gift amount. All endowment funds will be administered in this manner unless the university is specifically directed otherwise.

 

Number of Awards       

To be determined by the Journalism Department as funds allow.

 

Student Eligibility

This scholarship is awarded to journalism majors who best demonstrate aptitude in the area of journalism.

 

Selection Criteria

·         Consideration will be given to incoming freshman journalism majors with a journalism emphasis, and to sophomore, junior and senior journalism majors with a journalism emphasis.

 

Renewability

The scholarship is renewable based on available funds and provided the criteria are met. Renewal is not guaranteed.

 

Selection Process

The recipient(s) will be chosen each year by the Journalism Department. The name of the recipient(s) will be chosen by March 15 each year and provided to Student Financial Services.

 

Published in Catalog

Yes

 

Donor Notification

The Advancement Office will provide a written update of endowment status, amount and a profile of the recipient(s) by October 15.