WELCH FAMILY FOUNDATION
HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA SCHOLARSHIP
Welch Family Foundation Media Scholarship
The Welch Family Foundation Media Scholarship was created to support and inspire high school students across the Upper Midwest who are pursuing education and careers in media, communications, journalism, and storytelling. This scholarship reflects the Welch family’s deep belief in the power of education as a pathway to opportunity, leadership, and lifelong impact.
The scholarship honors the legacy of E. Thomas “Tom” Welch, who passed away in 2024. Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, business leader, and lifelong champion of education. He and his wife, Rita, placed education at the center of their family’s values and worked tirelessly to ensure future generations had access to learning and growth opportunities.
Tom’s own story is one of resilience and determination. He lost his father at the age of 9 and grew up on a ranch in North Dakota, where he worked countless hours alongside hired help to support himself and to contribute to his family. Through grit, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to education, Tom earned enough money to put himself through college and later postgraduate law school. It was during his college years that he met the love of his life, Rita, while working at the student union at the University of North Dakota where they both went to college. They married in 1962 and built a life rooted in hard work, integrity, and service to others.
Over the course of his career, Tom became a highly respected banker and business owner, well known throughout the Twin Cities for his leadership, business acumen, and community involvement. Despite his professional success, Tom never forgot his beginnings or the role education played in shaping his future. He instilled those same values in his three children—Colleen, Patrick, and Katie—and his 11 grandchildren.
SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OPEN TO:
College/university/technical students living or attending school in the five-state area served by the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa & western Wisconsin).
Completed application, essay, transcript, video link and letters of recommendation must be completed by February 6th, 2026.
You may email materials to info@midwestemmys.org
Scholarship recipients will be announced March 9th, 2026.
Payments to schools will be made in August 2026.
FOR SCHOLARSHIP CONSIDERATION:
- Applicants must be officially “accepted” into an accredited college media program.
- Submit completed online application form.
- Submit completed relevant essay: Essays judged based on ability to focus on the topic, answer the question and stay within the 450 word limit. We will also pay attention to spelling and grammar.
- Submit copy of most recent high school/college transcript.
- Link to an online video reel of your best work. 15 minute time limit.
- Letter or letters of recommendation from relevant faculty or professionals be accepted via email info@midwestemmys.org, providing it comes directly from the faculty or advisor’s school account. Hard copy letters should be signed and printed on letterhead paper.
E. Thomas "Tom" Welch
The Welch Family Foundation Media Scholarship is offered in Tom’s memory and in celebration of the values he and Rita lived by. It is the family’s honor to continue Tom’s legacy by investing in students who are curious, creative, and passionate about media—and who, like Tom, are ready to work hard to build a meaningful future.
Through this scholarship, the Welch family hopes to empower the next generation of storytellers and communicators, ensuring that education remains a powerful force for opportunity, resilience, and positive change.
This $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior graduating in 2026 and pursuing media studies. The application deadline is February 6, 2026.