Scholarship Overview

This four-year, $2,500 annual scholarship is awarded to an exceptional incoming first-year student. The scholar should share the passion for journalism and commitment to academic excellence exemplified by Alison Bailey Parker, for whom this scholarship was endowed. The Parker Scholar will receive a $2,500 annual scholarship and a Madison Award for Academic Excellence. That scholarship package amounted to about $12,000 per year for the most recent recipient. The Parker Scholar will be directly admitted to the journalism concentration in the School of Media Arts & Design instead of having to apply during the school’s regular admission period in the spring.

In memory of their daughter, Alison, Barbara and Andy Parker honored her passion for journalism with an endowed scholarship. Before her life was tragically cut short, Alison pursued the print and broadcast tracks in SMAD with great verve and vigor, serving as an editor for The Breeze, landing two broadcast TV internships and, after graduation, flourishing as a broadcast reporter and anchor in Jacksonville, N.C., and Roanoke, Va.

Prospective students can apply through the Madison Scholarship Hub, which you can access through this JMU page. The opportunity opens at the beginning of the spring semester in January. Application materials are due by 5 p.m. March 15, 2024.

To renew the Parker Scholarship annually, the recipient must remain in SMAD’s journalism concentration, maintain a 3.0 grade-point average, enroll in at least 12 hours per semester, and be continuously involved in JMU student media. There is no financial-need component to this scholarship.

Available for an incoming first-year student

Apply starting in January

Annual award amount
$2,500 per year

Need Based
No

Eligibility Criteria
Freshmen  

GPA
Minimum 3.0

Eligibility Requirements
Incoming freshman

Deadline
24:00 AM Thursday, March 3, 2022

Award Announcement

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