- Department of Communication
- Undergraduate
- Journalism
- Scholarships and Awards
- Journalism Awards & Scholarships
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 In case of multiple qualified candidates, the deciding factor will be financial need. More than one scholarship may be awarded. |
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