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Scholarships

The Department of Communication scholarship application for the 2024-25 academic year has closed. Our application will re-open in November 2024 for the 2025-26 academic year. Please send questions to comm-advisor@utah.edu.

 

Students do not apply for specific awards. You must submit both the General Scholarship Application and the Communication Undergraduate Scholarship Application.  By submitting these applications we will consider students for most awards (some awards require additional items to be considered). Award amounts vary.

If you would like to be considered for the Deseret Book, Deseret Digital Media, Deseret News or KSL scholarships, please email links to portfolios or other additional materials to comm-advisor@utah.edu. See below for information about those scholarships.

Undergraduate ScholarshipsGraduate Scholarships |
John R. Park Debate Society Scholarships

*All students are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Need-Based Scholarships require that students complete the (FAFSA).  Awards are subject to change each academic year. 

Applicants must be officially declared Communication majors. The only exceptions are prospective students in high school or transfer students who want to be considered for the Department of Communication First Year Scholarship.

Scholarships are awarded for the 2024‐2025 academic year. Students graduating before Fall 2024 are not eligible.

Scholarship recipients must attend the Communication Department Awards Luncheon to receive awards. Application information (bio, photo etc.) will be used to introduce you at the event if you are selected as a recipient.

 

Below is a list of the Department of Communication scholarships for University of Utah Communication majors for the 2024-2025 academic year.


Undergraduate Scholarships

Robert K. Avery

Friends, family, former students and colleagues of Emeritus Professor Robert K. Avery have established an endowment in his name to support deserving students with a Communication scholarship and a one-year public media internship with KUED/KUER. Candidates should be a junior or senior, with demonstrated experience, skills, or academic knowledge pertaining to the production of content for digital media. Experience in writing, non-linear editing systems, video cameras, computer graphics, data base management and advanced word processing are great assets, and will be weighted in our consideration. Familiarity with, and an interest in public service media is preferred. 

Edna Anderson-Taylor

Established in 1999 by a gift from Jerold Taylor and Edna Anderson-Taylor. For students who exhibit high academic achievement and outstanding professional potential, and have demonstrated financial need. Priority given to nontraditional students whose education has required personal and family sacrifice and dedication. *Scholarship Type: Need Based

Louise Degn

Journalist, documentarian, teacher and archivist Louise Degn was a pioneer female broadcast journalist in Utah. At the time of her hiring by station KSL in 1969, she was the only female radio and TV news reporter in Salt Lake City. After 23 years working as a journalist, she taught journalism at the University of Utah for 20 years. She archived much of her work in Special Collections, Marriott Library and University of Utah. This scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in communication at the university and is not need-based.

Craig Denton

Emeritus Professor Craig Denton, who served and taught in the Department of Communication for 39 years, is renowned in the field of visual communication. His photographic and documentary work is focused on the tensions between conservation and extraction of natural resources as people interact with the environment. In 2017, he established a scholarship for an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Communication who is interested in visual communication. Preference will be given to students who show a demonstrated interest in visual communication by submitting an example such as a professional project, a student project or portfolio (completed or in progress), or who have taken multiple related courses or work in a field centered on visual communication. This scholarship is for students in any Communication sequence and is not need-based.

For entering first-year students intending to declare the Communication major.

Established by the Department of Communication to disburse funds awarded to the department by various professional organizations, including but not limited to: Women in Communication, The William Randolph Hearst Foundation, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Newspaper Foundation, the Gannett Foundation, and the American Forensic Association.

For strategic communication students who show the scholastic ability, professional performance, and desire to practice strategic communication upon graduation. With application, student must submit a portfolio showing evidence of excellent planning and execution of strategic communication plans. Minimum 3.0 GPA.

For students who evidence strong interest, ability, and application of digital media in communications. With application, students must submit a portfolio of digital media products that show evidence of quality use of digital media for communication purposes. Minimum 3.0 GPA.

For journalism students who show the desire, aptitude, and ability to practice journalism that follows professional standards and principles adhered to by the Deseret News. With application, students must submit a portfolio showing evidence of quality reporting and writing that demonstrate professionalism and ethical standards. Minimum 3.0 GPA.

For broadcast journalism students who show the desire, aptitude, and ability to practice journalism that follows professional standards and principles adhered to by the KSL news division. With application, student must submit a performance reel showing evidence of quality reporting or producing that demonstrates professionalism and ethical standards. Minimum 3.0 GPA.

DeAnn Evans

Established in honor of DeAnn Evans, a Communication professor who was an outstanding teacher, well- recognized as a professional journalist, and was influential in advancing journalism education in the Intermountain West. For students in the journalism sequence.

B. Floyd Farr

Established in 1985 by James Farr in honor of his father, B. Floyd Farr. For students interested in broadcasting and who are deserving students who excel academically and need financial assistance. Preference given to juniors or seniors. Recipients may reapply annually. *Scholarship Type: Need Based

Royal L. Garff

Established in 1993 by Maxine R. Garff in recognition of Royal L. Garff. For deserving students in need of financial assistance and who excel academically. Preference given to students in Communication Studies or Speech Communication. Preference given to descendants of Royal L. Garff if they meet the criteria herein and are otherwise equal to all other applicants. *Scholarship Type: Need Based

Established in 1989 by Jay W. Glasmann and Jill G. Taylor as trustees of the Glasmann Foundation. Preference given to students in the journalism sequence.

Halbert S. Greaves

Established in 1992 by Afton C. Greaves. For deserving students in need of financial assistance and who excel academically. Preference given to students in Communication Studies or Speech Communication. *Scholarship Type: Need Based

Established in 2007 by gifts from Mark L. Woodland and friends and family of Elizabeth M. Haglund. For upper-division undergraduate students with an interest in mass communication.

Ida Mae Hanks

Established in 1999 by the estate of Ida Mae Hanks in memory of Ida Mae Hanks. For sophomores, juniors, or seniors in journalism with preference for non-resident students from Idaho or elsewhere who otherwise qualify. Must be U.S. citizen. Minimum 3.3 GPA.

Milton C. Hollstein

Established in 1997 to honor Professor Milton Hollstein by gifts from Keith A. Cannon, other alumni, colleagues, friends, and family. The fund was added to by Dr. Hollstein.

Pauline Clyde Pace

Established in 2003 to honor Pauline Clyde Pace, a distinguished Communication graduate who is known internationally for her humanitarian efforts.

M. Neff Smart

Established in 1984 by the Society of Professional Journalists, Utah Headliners Chapter. For juniors or seniors pursuing a career in journalism.

Joseph F. Smith

Established in 2000 by a gift from Ruth S. Silver in honor of her father, Joseph F. Smith.

Parry D. Sorensen

Established in 1993 by Parry and Margaret Sorensen. Parry D. Sorensen was the former head of the Public Relations sequence and a long-time University administrator. The fund establishes an annual lecture known as "Town and Gown Forum," a lectureship on public relations issues to teach special topics, and provides scholarships to deserving Communication students. *Scholarship type: Need Based

  • $5,000 total for Fall and Spring semesters only; may not be used for Summer semester.
  • Recipient must enroll in 12-15 credits in both Fall and Spring semesters.
  • You must be a resident, declared Communication major in at least the second semester, fully matriculated, degree-seeking at the time of application and throughout the period of the award.
  • Please do not apply if you will be unable to use the award both semesters. You may not have another tuition scholarship at the university. Awards are not automatically renewable.

Established in 1998 by Gladys W. Walker in honor of her husband, Austin L. Walker.

Established in 2002 by gifts from Tom and Gayen Wharton. For entering freshmen with a journalism emphasis.

Herb Jepko

A scholarship for undergraduate students interested in community service talk media. This award is named in honor of the legendary radio host Herb Jepko, who hosted the nationally syndicated nighttime talk radio show “Nitecaps.”


Graduate Scholarships

Sue Pendell

Established in 2017 by PhD alumna Sue D. Pendell, this scholarship is reserved for graduate students in the Department of Communication with preference given to those with financial need. Dr. Pendell retired as Chair of the Colorado State University Department of Communication Studies after serving on the faculty for 35 years.

Headshot of Kent OnoEstablished in 2023 by Dr. Kent Ono, former Chair of the Department of Communication, former President of the National Communication Association, and Distinguished Mentor and Professor, this scholarship is reserved to support the mentorship of graduate students in the Department of Communication. The Chair of the Department may allocate the mentorship award for various purposes, as deemed appropriate, including but not limited to supporting graduate student travel to conferences, graduate student research travel, facilitating graduate student workshops, and funding the research/conference travel of the graduate student faculty advisor.


John R. Park Debate Society Scholarships

The Department’s award-winning John R. Park Debate Society offers scholarships to current and prospective students participating on the debate team from majors across campus. To learn more about these scholarships, or to apply for one, visit the Debate Society’s scholarship websitePlease note: You must complete the Debate Society’s separate application to receive consideration.

Andrew Wahlquist

This scholarship was established in 2017 by Andrew F. Wahlquist, a 1963 Communication alum who competed on the Debate team before going on to a highly successful career in strategic communication and public affairs in both government and private industry. He served as Chief of Staff to Senator John Warner of Virginia, as well as a five-year term as Commissioner of the Virginia Port Authority and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He established this scholarship to reward students in the John R. Park Debate Society who engage in community outreach, compete in tournaments, and exhibit high academic achievement.

This scholarship was established in 2014 by former team member and University of Utah alumna, Sofia Lingos. The scholarship is made possible with support from the John & Sonia Lingos Foundation. The scholarship is awarded to a current or prospective member of the John R. Park Debate Society. The scholarship may be awarded to the same student recipient for up to four years.

This scholarship is made possible through partnerships on campus, as well as the regular support of our network of alumni, community supporters, and friends of forensics. These scholarships range in value from one-time awards to multi-year scholarships covering up to the full costs of tuition. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate strong potential to contribute to the academic excellence and competitive success of the Debate Society. 

Last Updated: 3/5/24