Newswise — WASHINGTON—The George Washington University announced a new scholarship in partnership with the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA). The scholarship will provide one journalism student each year with a financial award and a seat at the annual WHCA Dinner.
“As someone who covered the White House for many years, it’s a special privilege for us to usher in the next group of students who will become journalists and, perhaps, White House correspondents,” said Frank Sesno, director of the GW School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA), who will choose the scholarship winners. “We pride ourselves on the opportunities we provide for our students. This partnership illustrates the unique position of SMPA as a direct path into the world of journalism.”
The WHCA will award the GW-White House Correspondents’ Association Scholarship each year to a journalism and mass communication student who exhibits interest in diversity issues. For the class of 2015 through the class of 2018, the recipient will receive $2,500 that will be applied to his or her senior year. Starting with the class of 2019 recipient, the student will receive a total of $10,000 – $2,500 per year for four years to each recipient. Recipients will attend the annual WHCA Dinner in the spring of their senior year and meet the President and First Lady of the United States. The GW-WHCA Scholarship is the latest addition to the WHCA’s scholarship program, which includes several other universities including Columbia University and Northwestern University.
“We're proud to recognize this field of talented young journalists, and we look forward to introducing them to future friends and colleagues at our luncheon and dinner later this month. I hope we can inspire them as they have already inspired us,” said Christi Parsons, WHCA president.
GW senior Marianna Sotomayor is the inaugural recipient of the scholarship. Ms. Sotomayor has interned at CNN, Campaigns & Elections and The Hill. She also took part in the first Politico Summer Institute.
“The fact that someone was paying attention to my political journalism skills and believed it was quality work is very humbling,” said Ms. Sotomayor. “The most important part of this award is that it shows people take notice and realize all the work and effort I’ve put into my future career.”
The WHCA previously partnered with SMPA to support the school’s Prime Movers Media Program, which brought journalists and GW students to mentor high school students in the Washington, D.C., area. The program reached thousands of student journalists in the region.
Students interested in learning more about this scholarship opportunity can visit http://smpa.gwu.edu/prizes-and-fellowships.
Multimedia Resources• Click here for a photo of Ms. Sotomayor.
The George Washington UniversityIn the heart of the nation’s capital with additional programs in Virginia, the George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 countries.
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