Before a room packed with industry leaders and celebrity guests, students from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications were awarded six of the 22 scholarships given this year by the New York Women in Communications Inc. (NYWICI) Foundation.
Juniors Allison Latini and Gabrielle Reese; sophomores Laura Amato, Katie Baldwin and Alison Hartley; and freshman Anna Gardner traveled to New York City to be recognized at the annual Matrix Awards – a communications industry event – on April 25.
The scholarships, which reflect academic excellence, financial need and a demonstrated commitment to the field of communications, are given each year to female students at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels who are committed to pursuing careers in communications.
“While women are still under-represented in media – both in front of and behind the camera – the Park School provides distinctive opportunities for our women students to prepare themselves to lead a more inclusive industry,” said Diane Gayeski, dean of the Park School. “I’m very proud of our student scholarship winners and look forward to the contributions they will be making as they move forward in their careers.”
For students like Anna Gardner, a double major in art history and film, photography and visual arts, the scholarship provides a boost of confidence.
“It’s really validating, especially after my first year of college, to know that I’m on the right trajectory and that what I’m doing is making a difference,” said Gardner.
The NYWICI Foundation is the largest provider of communications scholarships for women in the country. Scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, participation in school and community-service activities, honors and other awards or recognition, work experience and the applicants’ statements of goals and aspirations.
“We are ecstatic to welcome these remarkable young women into our New York Women in Communications family,” said NYWICI Foundation President Linda Descano. “Their accomplishments and determination to succeed is commendable, and they are already well on their way to becoming the next generation of female leaders.”
The Matrix Awards were held at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. The event was emceed by Andy Cohen and featured appearances by Matrix Award winners and presenters including Lena Dunham, Gloria Steinem, Katie Couric, Liz Kaplow, Bonnie Hammer and Nancy Dubuc.