Journalism Awards and Scholarships

Kappa Tau Alpha

Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society in Journalism and Mass Communication Student induction into the Quintus C. Wilson Chapter of KTA
KTA Outstanding Top Scholar Presented to the highest ranking student

 

PRSSA Awards

Sara Barr Cohen Outstanding Contribution to PRSSA Award Criteria: Presented to a Non E-Board PRSSA member in good standing
Minimum 2.0 GPA
Short statement on why they or the person they are nominating should receive the award.
George M.Crowson Excellence in PRSSA Leadership Award Criteria: PRSSA E-Board member or Former E-board member in good standing 
Minimum 2.0 GPA
Short statement on why they or the person they are nominating should receive the award.
Creativity in Public Relations Award Criteria: PRSSA member in good standing 
Minimum 2.0 GPA
Example of something creative they have done while in PRSSA. This example of creativity in the PR field could have been accomplished in PRSSA or at an internship.
Most Outstanding PRSSA Team Leadership and Contribution Award PRSSA member in good standing 
Minimum 2.0 GPA
Short statement on why they or the person they are nominating should receive the award.
Charles W. Merydith Presented to a PRSSA member in good standing

Broadcast News Awards

NTC Broadcast News Reporter of the Year Awarded to the student demonstrating excellence in news reporting, anchoring and production
NTC Weathercaster of the Year Awarded to the student demonstrating excellence in environmental reporting and weather presentations
NTC Sportscaster of the Year Awarded to the student demonstrating excellence in sports reporting and sports news production

Northern Star Awards

Northern Star Most Dedicated Staffer Awarded to an unsung hero on the Northern Star staff
Roy G. Campbell “Best Damn Reporter” Awarded to the reporter who best exhibits the spirit and tenacity of Roy G. Campbell
Ryan Byrne Memorial Award Awarded to a student who exhibits passion for sports, talent for journalism and quality of character
Jim Killam Mentor Award Awarded to a student for providing guidance and support to Northern Star staffers
Kathy Orr McDonald Award for Editorial Excellence Awarded to a staffer who exhibits newsroom leadership, integrity, ethical conduct and accuracy in reporting
David Onak Memorial Scholarship Awarded to students employed by the Northern Star who are pursuing a career in journalism or public relations
Daniel Parmenter Memoriall Scholarship Given in memory of Northern Star student Daniel Parmenter
Campbell-Thompson Northern Star Scholarship Awarded to a staffer who exhibits the combined spirit of two legendary advisors
Josephine Korcek Memorial Scholarship Awarded to a student with quality of character who writes or does editorial work for the Northern Star and is of sophomore standing
Hallie J. Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Preference given to junior or senior in good standing working for the Northern Star and majoring in journalism
Tom Fullmer Editing Award Awarded for excellence in editing

Journalism Awards

Ann Nelson Nahas Scholarship Awarded to a major in print or electronic journalism
Van Sells Memorial Endowment in Communication Scholarship Awarded with preference to a female student who exhibits scholastic excellence in print or broadcast media
NIU Media Award Awarded to a student who has made a significant contribution to campus media
Kenneth Smith Scholarship Awarded to outstanding journalism majors
Donald R. Grubb Scholarship Awarded to an outstanding print or photojournalism student
Granville and Eleanor Price Scholarship Awarded to an outstanding student for news-editorial accomplishments
Scripps Newspaper League Scholarship Awarded to an outstanding student
John Clogston Memorial Scholarship To provide assistance to students in the journalism degree program
NINA Donald F. Brod Scholarship Awarded to a student majoring in print news or photojournalism
NINA Donald R. Grubb Scholarship Awarded to a student majoring in print news or photojournalism
Illinois Journalist of the Year Scholarship Presented to a student in honor of the winner of the Illinois Journalist of the Year Award
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Deans’ Award
- Journalism Area Coordinator’s Award
- Communication Department Chair’s Award
Awarded to an outstanding journalism student chosen by the three combined areas

Journalism Scholarships Award Criteria

Journalism Scholarship Application

John Clogston Memorial Scholarship Student(s) must:
1) be studying print or photo
2) have sophomore status and a GPA of 2.0 or above
Donald R. Grubb Scholarship 1) must be majoring in journalism with a concentration in the area of print or photo and be in good standing
2) must have sophomore, junior or senior status
3) must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above
Hallie J. Hamilton Scholarship Preference given to junior or senior in good standing majoring in journalism and working for the Northern Star
NIU Media Award Scholarship recipients
1) must have sophomore or junior status
2) must have made a significant contribution to one or more of the communications media serving NIU
3) must have a C+ average or higher
Ann Nelson Nahas Memorial Scholarship Scholarship recipients are chosen on the basis of scholarship and
1) must be journalism majors with a concentration in print or electronic journalism
2) must have junior or senior status
NINA Donald F. Brod Scholarship Preference is given to students majoring in print or photo journalism
NINA Donald R. Grubb Scholarship Preference is given to students majoring in print or photo journalism
David Onak Memorial Scholarship Scholarship recipients
1) must be a a full-time undergraduate journalism major working for the Northern Star and planning a career in journalism or public relations
2) must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need as defined by the NIU Office of Financial Aid.
Granville and Eleanor Price Scholarship

Scholarship recipients
1) must be a full-time upper class journalism major; preference will be given to students with a concentration in print journalism
2) must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

In case of multiple qualified candidates, the deciding factor will be financial need.

More than one scholarship may be awarded.
Scholarship may be renewed.

Kenneth Smith Memorial Scholarship Recipients must be majoring in journalism.
Van Sells Memorial Endowment in Communication Scholarship For a student(s) in the Department of Communication
Scripps Newspaper League Scholarship Preference is given to students majoring in print or photo journalism.
Campbell-Thompson Northern Star Scholarship Awarded to a staffer who exhibits the combined spirit of two legendary advisers.
Campbell-Thompson Northern Star Scholarship Awarded to a staffer who exhibits the combined spirit of two legendary advisers.
Other Awards Criteria varies depending on emphasis

Undergraduate Advising

Laura Vazquez, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Watson Hall 213
815-753-7107
lvazquez@niu.edu 

Olivia Monteiro
Academic Advisor
Watson Hall 217
815-753-5354
omonteiro@niu.edu 

Undergraduate Advising Info