Number of Incoming Park Scholars Will Be Doubled

A scholarship program that provides educational opportunities for outstanding students in the Roy H. Park School of Communications will be expanding. Park Scholar Awards --- which have been given to 10 incoming students annually --- will be given to 20 new students each year beginning in the fall of 2002.

The Park Foundation established the scholarships with a grant in 1996. The foundation increased its award to the school in order to provide additional opportunity for superior students who can be recognized as Park scholars.

"The Park Foundation has supported this program in an outstanding fashion over the past several years," says Thomas Bohn (in photo with students), dean of the Park School. "With an increasingly large pool of qualified candidates from across the country applying for these prestigious awards, it was becoming more difficult to choose only 10 scholars. This expansion will allow us to recognize even more students for their excellent academic work, cocurricular activities, and community service."

Park scholars receive merit-based financial assistance to cover the full cost of attending Ithaca College for up to four years of undergraduate study. To be considered for the award, applicants must be accepted into the Park School with a major in television-radio; journalism; media studies; or organizational communication, learning, and design. Applicants must also demonstrate significant involvement in extracurricular or cocurricular activities during high school, as well as participation in community service activities, such as volunteer work in religious, community, or professional organizations.

"Their community service continues once the scholars arrive on campus," says Bohn. "Through both effort and example, they make a significant difference in the life of the school, the College, and the entire community as they actively promote leadership and service learning."

Those efforts will be enhanced with the hiring of the program’s first full-time director. The Park School is currently seeking to fill the new position, which will provide overall leadership and direction for the program. The director will also work with the Office of Admission on recruitment and implement academic and enhancement activities for the scholars.