Journalism Scholarships

The Journalism Department offers scholarships to students each year. To apply for the scholarships, visit the SCSU Foundation site here. Please note, applicants for the Journalism Department scholarships will be required to write a 500-word essay on why they want to become a journalist.

The deadline to apply is each Spring. Check the SCSU Foundation website for annual deadlines.

Rob Parker Journalism Annual Scholarship

The recipient must be an incoming or current undergraduate or graduate student who is majoring or minoring in Journalism. The student must maintain satisfactory academic standing. 

Preference is to give two scholarships per year: (1) given to a journalism major or minor from an underrepresented group and (2) a journalism major or minor who is a sportswriter for the Southern News, or, has demonstrated an interest in sports writing.

Vern Williams Endowed Journalism Scholarship 

To honor Vern Williams, an anonymous donor has established a journalism scholarship in his name. Vern Williams was a longtime member of the Connecticut photography and drone journalism community and pioneered drone photojournalism courses at Southern. He helped develop and teach courses in the new drone minor at the university, and is also credited with creating a Drone Academy for the public where professionals, using drones for their businesses, can learn better photographic techniques. Other courses he instructed were photojournalism, layout and design, journalism technology, and The First Amendment and the media.

To be eligible for the award(s), candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a current undergraduate student enrolled full or part time as a Journalism major.
  • Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
  • Preference will be given to a student at the discretion of the chair of the Journalism Department or his/her designee who demonstrates extensive involvement in the field of journalism outside of the classroom.

The Charles S. And Eugenia M. Whitney Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded annually based on interest accrued on the endowment. To be considered, students must meet the following criteria:

  • be a full-time SCSU Journalism major
  • complete a minimum of 60 credits, of which at least 20 credits have been completed at SCSU
  • possess and maintain a 3.2 GPA or higher
  • participate in a campus or community activity
  • write a 500-word essay on why you want to become a journalist
  • write a paragraph describing how this scholarship will help you achieve your journalism goals
  • interview with the Scholarship Committee

The application will be posted in the Fall. 

Robin Marshall Glassman Scholarship

Robin Marshall Glassman founded the Journalism Department at Southern Connecticut State University in 1979. She is a past president for the Connecticut Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and a 1989 recipient of the national SPJ Distinguished Teacher of Journalism award. She worked as a reporter, managing editor, writing coach, news service correspondent and film, TV and magazine writer over her 50-year career.

The scholarship is awarded annually. To be considered, students must meet the following criteria:

  • be a full-time SCSU Journalism major
  • complete a minimum of 60 credits by the end of the Fall semester
  • possess and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • write a 500-word essay on why you want to become a journalist
  • write a paragraph describing how this scholarship will help you achieve your journalism goals
  • interview with the Scholarship Committee

Ruthie's Endowed Scholarship for Higher Education

The recipient shall be an incoming or current undergraduate or graduate student. The student must be enrolled full or part time. 

Preference will be given to one of these: a female student, or a student majoring in Journalism, or a non-traditional student.