Scholarships and Awards
In addition to scholarships offered by the university and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, we offer program-specific scholarships in communication.
The Adam Ward ’11 Memorial Scholarship was established to honor Adam’s legacy at Virginia Tech to help students who, like Adam, are true Hokies and are persistent, active, caring, and willing to reach out and help others. The following guidelines are required for this award:
• Undergraduate student in any field of study
• Demonstrated financial need
Preference will be given to students who demonstrate caring compassion and service to others; residents of the Roanoke Valley; and students in the Department of Communication.
This scholarship is administered through Student Affairs.
Eligibility requirements are:
1. Recipient shall be, at the time of receipt of the scholarship funds, an incoming freshman student accepted in a communication major within the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
2. Awards shall be made based on academic merit
3. The recipient may continue to receive the award in subsequent academic years, through to graduation, for as long as they continue to qualify and maintain a 3.0 GPA
There is no application for this award. Decision are made by the department on an annual basis.
This scholarship honors the life of former Virginia Tech double major (French and Communication) Megan Christenson and is awarded to a Virginia Tech student from one of those majors in alternating years. French majors are eligible in even-numbered years; Communication majors in odd-numbered years.
The Christenson Scholarship eligibility requirements are:
1. Communication major
2. Scholastic achievement
3. Good character
4. Demonstration of financial need as determined by the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid
Application Open Dates: September 8, 2023-January 22, 2024
Ewing Scholarship eligibility requirements are:
1. Communication major
2. Completion of either the sophomore or junior year
3. Presentation in the written application of the reasons why the applicant wishes to receive the scholarship
4. Minimum 2.25 GPA overall
Communication majors participating in a Study Abroad experience are eligible for the Ewing Scholarship. Scholarships from this Fund may be used to pay the cost of study abroad programs sponsored by another college or university, provided that successful completion of such a program will result in the recipient earning no less than six (6) credit hours which are transferable to Virginia Tech. The Edwin J. and Jane M. Ewing Study Abroad Scholarship can also be awarded for a Study Abroad experience during spring semester.
Application Open Dates: Application Open Dates: September 8, 2023-January 22, 2024
Contact Person: Hannah Shinault Deuyour
This scholarship honors the life of former Communication major, and Donor’s son, Don Morris.
The Morris Scholarship eligibility requirements include:
1. Communication major
2. Rising seniors who are actively involved in a student-run broadcasting journalism program
3. Genuine commitment to student-run video broadcasting on television, the Internet or other news media
Application Open Dates: Application Open Dates: September 8, 2023-January 22, 2024
Contact Person: Hannah Shinault Deuyour
This scholarship honors the life of former Communication student Matt Hancock.
Eligibility Requirements:
1. Recipients shall be at the time of receipt of the scholarship funds, fifth year seniors by the fall of the year the award is distributed
2. Possess an overall grade point average that meets the minimum university standard for graduation
3. Demonstration of financial need as determined by the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid
4. Must be a Communication major who is “a good writer” and pursuing a career in journalism endeavors whether in print form, web-based or whatever format journalism may evolve to in the future
Application Open: Application Open Dates: September 8, 2023-January 22, 2024
Contact Person: Hannah Shinault Deuyour
This scholarship honors the life of former Communication major Melinda Marie "Mindy" Somers.
The Somers Scholarship eligibility requirements are:
1. Communication major
2. Preference will be given to students based upon financial need and any relevant family circumstances, and academic achievement
Application Open Dates: JApplication Open Dates: September 8, 2023-January 22, 2024
Contact Person: Hannah Shinault Deuyour
This scholarship honors the life and career of Communication Alumnus Morris T. "Mo" Donaldson.
The Donaldson Scholarship eligibility requirements are:
1. Open to all Communication undergraduate majors, but preference given to rising Sophomores who demonstrate values of the love of learning, a commitment to community, and concerns for high personal and academic goals
Application Open Dates: Application Open Dates: September 8, 2023-January 22, 2024
Contact Person: Hannah Shinault Deuyour
The Owen scholarship recognizes the academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, and community service of a Communication major.
Preference shall be given to students based upon:
1. Financial Need and any relevant family circumstances
2. Academic Achievement
3. Extracurricular leadership
4. Community Service
Application Open Dates: Application Open Dates: September 8, 2023-January 22, 2024
Contact Person: Hannah Shinault Deuyour
Edwin Ewing Service Award
Ed Ewing was a well-loved broadcast journalism instructor in the department and later he and his wife Jane became tremendous benefactors of the department, creating the Edwin J. and Jane M. Ewing Study Abroad Scholarships. Ed was also the “go to guy” in the department—ready to do anything, to fix anything, to make anything to benefit our students. He made the banner we display each year at commencement. So, in honor of Ed’s Ut Prosim spirit, each year we recognize a senior who has served the department in special ways.
John Eure Award in Journalism
John Eure Award in Journalism John Eure was a well-known journalist in Roanoke having served as a day-side and city editor at the Roanoke Times early in his career, as news director at WDBJ radio, and later as managing editor of the Roanoke Times and World-News. Upon his retirement, Eure taught journalism classes in the department and insisted that journalism students gain experience as they earned their degrees. The John Eure Award in Journalism recognizes the senior who has been most engaged in the student media and other professional activities. The department of communication decides this award; no application is necessary.
Kappa Tau Alpha This is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication. The Greek letters mean "The Truth Will Prevail."
Kenneth F. Rystrom Academic Excellence Award
Kenneth F. Rystrom Academic Excellence Award The award, named after a former Communication faculty member and department head, recognizes the graduating senior with the highest overall GPA. The department of communication decides this award; no application is necessary.
Phi Beta Kappa Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, is the nation’s oldest and most widely known academic honor society. Phi Beta Kappa celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences.
The Outstanding Senior Awards
The Outstanding Senior Awards, the faculty selects a senior who has excelled in each area of study within the major: public relations, communication studies, and multimedia journalism. The outstanding senior awards recognize academic achievement, co-curricular involvement, and leadership within each area of study. The department of communication decides this award; no application is necessary.
Contact Person: Hannah Shinault Deuyour
Jointly funded by Robin Reed and WDBJ-7 in Roanoke to celebrate Robin's retirement after 42 years on the air, the Robin Reed Journalism Scholarship is available for students majoring in Multimedia Journalism in the School of Communication at Virginia Tech. Students may apply to and be awarded this scholarship in multiple years if they maintain their Multimedia Journalism major.
The scholarship eligibility requirements are:
1. Multimedia Journalism major
2. Complete a short essay explaining how this scholarship will help you access resources (e.g. technology) and/or opportunities related to your major that would not be available to you without it.
Funded by Virginia Tech, the Tech Sideline-Endowed Scholarship for Sports Journalism is a one time scholarship awarded to undergraduate student(s), with consultation with the leadership within the Department of Communication, Multimedia Journalism – Sports Media Analytics program. Scholarship funds are to be awarded to student(s) pursuing a degree in Communication – Multimedia Journalism, Sports Media and Analytics.
We offer a limited number of full-time positions which require 20 hours of work per week, usually fulfilled by teaching two sections of undergraduate public speaking each semester. The position requires enrollment in 12 hours of graduate credit each semester. Our department typically does not offer graduate research assistantships.
Duration of Funding
We normally offer 2 years of Assistantships for funded M.A students. Contracts are for one year, with renewal depending on progress in the degree program and satisfactory performance of assistantship duties.
Benefits of Assistantships
Assistantships provide these benefits:
-Stipend
-Tuition waiver
-Health insurance program (see the Graduate School benefits page for details)
Applying for Funding
A question on the Graduate School application for graduate admission asks whether you want to be considered for a teaching assistantship. If you check yes, you will respond to additional questions and be added to our list of candidates. All new positions begin in the fall semester.
Please note that you do not need to submit separate applications to be considered for Graduate Assistantships.
Application Open Dates: Same as admissions
Deadline: January 15
Contact Person: Dr. Cayce Myers
Department and faculty members may nominate Graduate Students for Assistantships and Fellowships.