Thanks to the generosity of supporters and alumni of SMAD, we offer three scholarships each year to aspiring journalism students. Each scholarship provides $2,500 per year across the student's four years at JMU. Each recipient also earns direct admisison into the School of Media Arts and Design's Journalism concentration, which means those scholarship winners don't have to submit applications during the competitive admissions process in the spring semester.
These are SMAD's four-year scholarships in journalism:
- Alison Bailey Parker ('12) Memorial Four-Year Journalism Scholarship
- Byrd-Mims Four-Year Journalism Scholarship
- Steven Buckhantz ('77) Four-Year Broadcast Journalism Scholarship
Who is eligible to apply?
High school seniors applying to JMU with the intention of being in SMAD's Journalism concentration.
How are recipients selected?
The SMAD faculty serving on the Scholarship Committee will evaluate candidates' applications based on the strength of their writing and their demontrasted interest in and enthusiasm for journalism.
How are winners notified?
The SMAD Director will contact the those students selected for the scholarships by early April. Recipients of the four-year scholarships also will be invited to attend and be recognized during the SMAD Awards Ceremony at the end of each Spring Semester.
How does a student apply?
Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU scholarships. To log in, go to MyMadison and under the “Student” tab, click on the logo for Madison Scholarships Hub. The four-year scholarship applications are open from Oct. 1 until the mid-February deadline each year. Learn more about the Madison Scholarships Hub.
Prof. Damon Dillman presents the Byrd-Mims Four-Year Scholarship and a SMAD t-shirt to Sydney Sultanik at the April 2025 SMAD Awards Ceremony. (Photo by Ashley Dondes)
