The Akron Press Club, John S. Knight Memorial Journalism Fund, and Sojourner Truth Education Committee celebrated the future at a lunch honoring scholarship winners on April 25 at Akron’s Greystone Hall. The 80 attendees heard inspiring stories from the next generation of students studying journalism, public relations and communications. Eleven students each received a $5,000 scholarship, totaling $55,000 in awards.
Last year, the Akron Press Club, in collaboration with the Sojourner Truth Education Committee, created a new $5,000 scholarship. This year, two recipients were chosen as Sojourner Truth Legacy Scholars: Dasha McCary of North High School and Kortlyn Thomas of Firestone Community Learning Center.
Five area college students were selected for scholarships in memory of longtime Akron Beacon Journal editor John S. Knight. The John S. Knight Foundation scholarships of $5,000 were awarded to: Lauren Bischof, Kent State University, Journalism; Sydney Brown, Kent State University, Journalism; John Engoglia, Kent State University, Journalism; Adriana Gasiewski, Kent State University, Journalism; and Avery St. George, Ohio University, Journalism Strategic Communication.
A sixth student received the Russ Pry scholarship from the Akron Press Club, named in honor of the Summit County executive who died in 2016. He supported the Press Club through his annual State of the County speech. The Akron Press Club-Russ Pry scholarship of $5,000 was awarded to Donovan Birkett, Baldwin Wallace University, Public Relations.
Through the generosity of Dr. Aileen Thong, a retired U.S. Army physician, and in tribute to her father, the late Louis Gitsin Thong, the Akron Press Club awarded two additional scholarships. The Akron Press Club-Dr. Eileen Thong scholarships of $5,000 each were awarded to John Hilber, Kent State University, Journalism, and Megan Williams, University of Akron, Public Relations.
Through the generosity of Elizabeth Bartz, the Akron Press Club awarded one final scholarship. The Akron Press Club-Elizabeth Baertz scholarship of $5,000 was awarded to Kayla Gleason, Kent State University, Journalism.
The Akron Press Club was founded in 1971 to promote a free press and serve local journalists and public relations professionals. The group has a rich heritage of offering newsmakers a forum to discuss issues of the day at Press Club luncheons and speaking events that are open to the public. The club also funds scholarships for journalists and public relations students. Visit www.akronpressclub.org for membership information.