The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Upper Midwest Chapter/Foundation is proud to announce its 2012 Scholarship recipients.
Each year, NATAS-UMW Chapter Foundation awards $2,500 scholarships to high school and college/university students within our chapter region which includes Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and western Wisconsin.
This year, thanks to help from generous sponsorship contributions from Slumberland, Hubbard Broadcasting, Mall of America and our chapter members and past Gold & Silver Circle recipients, we were able to award $12,500 in scholarships to area students!
Our scholarship committee recommended five out of more than two dozen applications to the NATAS-UMW Board of Governor’s which voted and approved the scholarships at its monthly meeting on April 5th, 2012.
Since 2002, the NATAS-UMW Chapter/Foundation has awarded 54 scholarships worth $110,500 to regional students who want to study media or journalism in college.
Ed Piette Leadership Scholarship: (Sponsored partly by Mall of America)
“Having a simultaneous interest in digital video AND going to school full-time has indeed proven exhausting, so it with utmost gratitude that I accept the 2012 NATAS-Upper Midwest Scholarship. It really is great to know that there are organizations out there who are willing to assist students in this way, so thank you for the opportunity to continue my education. Rest assured it will be put to good use as I forge my new career in Digital Media!”
Hubbard Broadcasting Scholarship: (Sponsor: Hubbard Broadcasting)
There are no guarantees in the broadcasting business, and Marney Gellner wanted to make sure she would be prepared for whatever came her way in the future.
“After 12 years in the business, I decided it was finally time to go back to school. I am now two semesters away from earning my Master’s Degree in Communications from North Dakota State University. During my studies, I have continued to work as a host and reporter at FOX Sports North in Minneapolis. I am also a very proud wife and mother of two young children.
I would like to sincerely thank the wonderful people at Hubbard Broadcasting for this generous scholarship. It is incredibly appreciated, and a wonderful lift for our family. And to the fine folks at NATAS – thank you so much for selecting me as a scholarship recipient. I am truly honored and humbled.”
Chapter/Foundation Scholarship: (Sponsor: Slumberland)
David Schommer is a senior at Woodbury High School in Woodbury, Minnesota. He started his film career after receiving an editing software program for his 10th birthday. Over the years he has written and produced television programs, public service announcements, educational videos, documentary films, and other video projects with the goal of inspiring others and changing lives.
“I strive to inspire others by developing an understanding of our common humanity, creating communication tools to improve humanity, and generating ideas into tangible offerings that can be enjoyed by others.” David will be attending the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and plans to use this scholarship to aid him in pursuing a major in entrepreneurship and marketing. “I am so thankful to Slumberland and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for supporting me in my college career. I am very honored to receive this award and I am excited to further my education to pursue my passion of telling stories that impact others and improve lives.”
Chapter/Foundation Scholarship: (Sponsor: Slumberland)