SMAD - Scholarships
The School of Media Arts and Design awards scholarships in the categories below, totaling approximately $35,000. The scholarships span a range of criteria such as academic achievement, extracurricular achievement, career promise, financial need and study-abroad plans. (Scholarships are for SMAD-admitted students only, not SMAD-declared.) Winners are announced annually in April at the SMAD Spring Awards Banquet, which is held in the Festival Ballroom.
Seniors graduating in May or August are not eligible for any of the listed scholarships except for the Neckowitz Study Abroad Scholarship which is available for August graduates.
The online application process must be completed by noon on the third Friday in March.
Byrd-Mims Scholar - Incoming Freshmen
The Byrd-Mims Journalism Scholarships were enhanced in 2009 by a $250,000 donation to JMU’s journalism scholarship endowment, from the late Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr., whose family owned Harrisonburg’s Daily News-Record/Rockingham Publishing. The scholarships honor their benefactor, Sen. Byrd, and his longtime friend and associate D. Lathan Mims, who helped coordinate the senator’s campaigns, and who served for many years as
Through a competitive application process in Spring 2019, JMU’s School of Media Arts & Design will name its third Byrd-Mims Scholar. A $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to the most promising journalism student who enters JMU as a freshman in Fall 2019. The award, which will be made in four annual installments of $2,500, will recognize the student’s demonstrated
The student selected for the Byrd-Mims scholarship also will receive the competitive Madison Award for Academic Excellence, which provides academic funding of more than $5,000 per year. In addition, the Byrd-Mims scholar will be directly and fully admitted as a journalism concentration major in the School of Media Arts & Design.
The Byrd-Mims Scholar must enroll for a minimum of 12 hours each semester, maintain a 3.0 JMU grade-point average, and participate continuously in the JMU student media.
The deadline for submitting application materials in the Byrd-Mims Scholar competition is March 1, 2019. Application materials should be saved in the pdf format and sent as email attachments
Available for incoming freshmen.
Alison Bailey Parker ('12) Memorial Four-Year Journalism Scholarship
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.
In Spring 2019, SMAD will award a competitive, four-year scholarship for an exemplary incoming freshman who shares Alison Parker's deep passion for journalism and commitment to academic excellence. The Parker Scholar will receive a $2,500 annual scholarship and full admission to the SMAD major and its journalism concentration. In addition, the Parker Scholar will automatically qualify for JMU's Madison Award for Academic Excellence, which provides annual funding of at least $5,000.
The Parker Scholarship is renewable up to three years for freshman recipients as long as they remain in the SMAD major's journalism concentration. To continue the award, the recipients must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average, enroll in at least 12 hours per semester, and be continuously involved in the JMU student media. There is no financial-need component
The deadline for submitting application materials for the Parker Scholarship is March 1, 2019. Materials should be saved in the pdf format and sent as email attachments
Available for incoming freshmen.
Byrd-Mims Journalism Scholarships
The Byrd-Mims Journalism Scholarships were enhanced in 2009 by a $250,000 donation to JMU’s journalism scholarship endowment, from the late Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr., whose family owned Harrisonburg’s Daily News-Record/Rockingham Publishing. The scholarships honor their benefactor, Sen. Byrd, and his longtime friend and associate D. Lathan Mims, who helped coordinate the senator’s campaigns, and who served for many years as
In 2019, a scholarship that has averaged $3,000 will be awarded to the most deserving JMU journalism student. The award is based on
Digital Video Group, Inc. Scholarship
In 2008 the Digital Video Group, Inc. established a scholarship for outstanding undergraduate student scholars majoring in Media Arts & Design at James Madison University. The scholarship honors the memory of Donnie E. Mongold, a longtime JMU employee.
The scholarship, which is $1,200 on average, is based on academic achievement and is awarded to a rising junior or rising senior in any SMAD concentration.
John Woody One Day / One University Scholarship
The John Woody One Day/One University SMAD Scholarship is endowed from funds directly earned from special productions by digital video and cinema students in the School of Media Arts and Design.
The scholarship, which is $1,200 on average, is awarded to a rising senior in either the Digital Video and Cinema or Interactive Design concentration, based on
Typically, applicants must have completed or
Madison Cinema Studies Scholarship
The Madison Cinema Studies Scholarship is endowed by the late Hollywood screenwriter Don Rhymer and his wife Kate, both JMU alumni. The award is based on academic performance and possibly financial need.
The scholarship, which is $1,800 on average, is awarded to a rising junior or rising senior in the Digital Video and Cinema concentration.
The Neckowitz Study Abroad Scholarship
Established to honor Alan Neckowitz, who was instrumental in founding the Summer in Ireland Study Abroad Program. This account will receive contributions to assist with the expenses of at least one School of Media Arts & Design (SMAD) major studying abroad each year. The awards committee will give first priority to a student with a record of outstanding academic and co-curricular achievement who is enrolled in a program that is taught or directed by a member of the SMAD faculty.
The $500 award is based on academic achievement (financial need is not a consideration).
SMAD Alumni/Professional Advisory Council
Established in 2011, the SMAD Alumni/Professional Advisory Council Scholarships are based on academic achievement. One scholarship that has averaged $1400 will be awarded. Fully admitted SMAD majors in any concentration may apply.
Madison Screenwriting Scholarship Competition
The Madison Screenwriting Scholarship Competition is open to Undergraduates majoring in English, Theater or SMAD.
Submit the following information for consideration:
-
3 Copies of a short screenplay
-
15 pages or less in proper screenplay format
All scripts must be original work - No adaptations.
Screenplay format guide: https://www.storysense.com/format.htm
Award Amount:
1st Place $1250
2nd Place $750
Due:
For more information, contact Professor Kevin Reynolds at reynolkj@jmu.edu
Note: Award money will be credited towards Fall 2018 tuition.
Alison Bailey Parker ('12) Memorial Journalism Scholarship
In Spring 2017 and annually thereafter the SMAD Scholarship Committee, in consultation with the journalism faculty, will consider awarding one $3,500 merit-based scholarship to a SMAD major with an outstanding record in journalism. The winner will be a rising senior who is a full-time student, preferably with a grade-point average of at least 3.0. Following the example of Alison Parker, a strong record of involvement in journalism-related extracurricular activities, such as The Breeze, Bluestone or internships is required. If the Scholarship Committee makes no award in a given year, the income earmarked for the award will be reinvested in the scholarship.
No application process.
Blanche Garrett Memorial Scholarship
The Blanche Garrett Memorial Scholarship is funded by a donation from Dr. George Johnson and Dr. Marilou Johnson for students newly admitted into the Media Arts & Design major.
The award, which has averaged $1,500, is made based on the scores on the school's admission test for 2018-2019, financial need and grade-point-average.
No application process.
De Luca Journalism Scholarships
The De Luca Journalism Scholarships were created in 2008 in memory of professor Albert “Flip” De Luca of the School of Media Arts & Design, and his late father, Albert D. De Luca, a longtime publisher with Ottaway Newspapers Inc., a division of Dow Jones.
Scholarships of $1,500, $1,000 and $1,000 will be awarded to the newly named editor-in-chief and both managing editors of The Breeze, respectively. Awardees must complete the full academic year in these positions to receive the full amount of the award.
No application process.
Lawrence Cain Memorial Scholarship
The Lawrence Cain Memorial Scholarship Fund provides an annual scholarship in memory of Lawrence Cain, a student who majored in Communication Arts at JMU and who died tragically in an automobile accident in July of 1978. The scholarship was funded by Mr. Charles R. Kenney, Jr. JMU class of '79 and '83.
The $3,000 scholarship is open to a rising senior from any concentration. The student selected to receive this annual award will exhibit academic excellence in the field of Media Arts and Design.
No application process.
Wendelken-De Luca Endowed Scholarship in Journalism
On behalf of the friends, alumni
When the scholarship fund is fully endowed, the Wendelken-De Luca Endowed Scholarships will be presented each year to a rising junior or senior in the Journalism concentration, with a preference to students serving on the
