Four students in the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College have been named the first recipients of the Park Scholar of Achievement Awards. Valued at up to $25,000 each, the endowed scholarships were made possible by a $10 million grant awarded by the Park Foundation last year in honor of Ithaca College president James J. Whalen. Beginning next year, eight scholarships will be presented annually.

The inaugural Park Scholars are senior television-radio major Scott Wallace, junior television-radio major Frank Faita, sophomore journalism major Leah Romano, and freshman corporate communication major Brin Tucker.

"These scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated significant academic and creative achievement in communications, involvement in relevant cocurricular activities, and community service both at Ithaca College and in the larger community," said Thomas Bohn, dean of the Park School. "We are very grateful for the Park Foundation’s continuing commitment to the school, which has allowed us to provide these scholarships to students of merit."

Wallace, who was inducted into the Oracle and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies, is a peer adviser in the Park School and has held positions with College radio station 106-VIC and television station ICTV. He is a talented musician who has performed with the Ithaca College Pep Band, Trombone Troupe, Jazz Workshop, and Jazz Club. As a member of the Oracle Society he has assisted at food kitchens and sponsored programs for visiting high school students. He is from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.

Faita is also an Oracle Society member and has been named to the dean’s list every semester he’s been at the College. During the school year he works as a student supervisor in Egbert Dining Hall; during the summer he was an assistant district manager and sales representative for Vector Marketing Corporation. He is a volunteer at Ithacare and with the Salvation Army, and helped organize a local youth fair. He is from Torrington, Connecticut.

While in high school, Romano was on the yearbook staff, had the lead role in the annual musical, won first place in a regional speech competition, and helped organize a community service group that adopted needy families for the holidays. At Ithaca College she has been inducted into the Oracle Society, performed with the Muller Chapel Theatre Group, taken part in service activities with the College’s Protestant community, served as a residence hall representative with the Student Government Association, and worked with ICTV. She is from West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Tucker was a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and valedictorian of her high school graduating class. In addition to volunteering with the Make a Wish Foundation, she helped found the Lyon Mountain Reading Room and worked with local organizations to support African hunger relief efforts and increase the arts in rural areas. She was a member of her high school’s Key Club, French Club, and Yearbook Club as well as a varsity soccer and softball player. She is from Lyon Mountain, New York.

In addition to the scholarship, each Park Scholar will receive computer equipment. The Park Foundation grant, which was announced last May, is also providing funding for endowed professorships, a distinguished visitors program, and capital equipment purchases for the Park School.

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