Scholarships

This scholarship fund supports students studying advertising at UNT.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in the Mayborn School of Journalism at the university, with a concentration in Advertising.
• Applicants must have a UNT GPA of at least 3.25 if they are continuing students, and at least 3.25 from their previous institution if they are transfer students or incoming freshmen.
• Applicants must submit a 500-word essay that describes the applicant's career goals in Advertising and, if a continuing student, positive experience as a student in the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Preference will be given to previous recipients, given all criteria continue to be met by the applicant. A single recipient can receive the award up to 4 times.

Barbara Colegrove is a former journalism instructor and longtime supporter of UNT journalism. She was a former reporter at Addison Reporter and Time magazine.

• This scholarship is open to students in news editorial, broadcast news, and public relations.
• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their individual degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time junior or senior student in the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Students meeting the established selection criteria will be eligible to reapply for an award from this fund.

The C.E. Shuford Scholarship was created to honor C.E. "Pops" Shuford, founder of UNT's journalism program. Awarded to an outstanding sophomore student.

• Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism in effect at the time of any award.
• Must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Enroll as a full-time Journalism student at UNT and be a sophomore.
• Must demonstrate financial need as determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Charldean Newell Journalism Scholarship was established by Dr. Charldean Newell. Dr. Newell received a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1960, serving as editor of the UNT student newspaper and as associate editor of the annual. She returned to UNT to teach political science and public administration, and credited much of her career as a scholar and as a university administrator to the fact-finding skills she learned as a journalism student.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time undergraduate students in journalism with an emphasis on news reporting

The Charles and Madge Dameron Journalism Scholarship was established by the children of Charles and Madge Dameron to honor their parents and to provide scholarships for Journalism students at UNT.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Be enrolled as full-time undergraduate students in journalism.
• Demonstrate eligibility for need-based financial assistance as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Submit a 500-word essay on your interest in journalism. The essay must concisely state the reasons for this career choice, and the preparation and skills the student feels are necessary for success in their chosen area of journalism.
• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

David T. Lane/Belo Corp. Scholars Program

This prestigious scholarship was established by Belo Corp., a Dallas-based media company that owned 20 television stations (including WFAA-TV/Channel 8) and 25 websites, until it was purchased by Gannett Co. in 2013.

These scholarships are named in honor of the late Dave Lane, who was the general manager of WFAA-TV/Channel 8. The scholarships are funded by an endowment at the University of North Texas Foundation, which supports deserving students in the Mayborn School of Journalism who plan to work in journalism.

Up to three full scholarships of $4,000 each, or smaller partial scholarships, may be awarded annually.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student with major status in Print/Digital, Broadcast/Digital, or Photo Journalism in the Mayborn School of Journalism, University of North Texas
• Meet entrance and academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism and the University of North Texas
• Completed at least 60 hours of coursework toward a degree at the time of application
• Minimum UNT GPA of 3.0
• US citizen

APPLICATION: Must include:

• General journalism scholarship application
• Typed essay about your personal motivation and professional goals, including your plans to work in the field of journalism
• Student portfolio showing your work

Applications are accepted in the spring semester. Scholarships are available starting in fall.

The Diana Rae Hanson scholarship was established by Hanson's parents after her death in 1983.

• Applicants must be full-time students in the Mayborn School of Journalism with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, with preference given to advertising majors and out-of-state students.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

The Dotty Griffith Endowed Scholarship in Journalism provides scholarships for journalism (or its successor) students at the University. The scholarship is sponsored by the Dallas Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International, an organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage, and hospitality professions.

Ms. Griffith developed and taught a culinary journalism course for the Mayborn School of Journalism (2015-2020). As a founding member of the Dallas Chapter, Ms. Griffith was instrumental in the chapter's creation and growth and in its work. Her long career at The Dallas Morning News was committed to elevating food writing beyond the "women's pages and recipes" to the same journalistic standards as for other specialty reporting. Because of her work, readers in Dallas and beyond had more sophisticated knowledge of cuisines, dining trends, chefs, and other culinary arts. Her passion for the highest standards of journalism, as well as for the art of food, made her a legend of food journalism. Her career also included non-food-related communication positions, including Director of Communications of the ACLU of Texas, Executive Director of the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association, and Interim Marketing Director of the Dallas Arboretum.

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant for the Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

• Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism (or its successor) in effect at the time of any award;
• Maintain full-time enrollment as established by the University, unless the student is nearing completion of their degree program and does not need full-time enrollment;
• Enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in journalism (or its successor) at the University; in the event no applicant meets this criterion, then the amount will be held for future awards;
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and at least a 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all academic major courses or their equivalent should the GPA scale change;
• Recipients must be willing to attend local Les Dames d'Escoffier events in the metroplex;
• Be a resident of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma or New Mexico; and
• Submit an essay related to journalism or public relations aspects of lifestyle, entertainment, or hospitality, including the applicant's interest in writing about food, wine, and hospitality. The committee will use the evaluation of this essay, along with the established criteria, to determine the scholarship recipient.

George Foster is a journalism graduate from UNT. He owns a marketing communications firm based in Houston and Lafayette, LA.

1. Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism in effect at the time of any award.
2. Must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
3. Enroll as an undergraduate student majoring in Journalism with a concentration in sports media at the Mayborn School of Journalism.  

George Foster is a journalism graduate from UNT. He owns a marketing communications firm based in Houston and Lafayette, LA.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT unless they have fewer than twice the semester hours required for full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Enroll as a journalism major with a concentration in public relations at the Mayborn School of Journalism at UNT.

Tinsley was an executive editor for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He worked at the newspaper for more than 40 years. All recipients of the Jack B. Tinsley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram Scholarship will be designated as Tinsley Scholars while receiving the scholarship. Renewal status is determined by reapplication and student progress annually and may be renewed for up to 4 years if awarded as a freshman or 2 years if awarded as a new transfer student.

• Applicants must be incoming freshmen or community college transfer students from either the defined 42-county geographic region of East Texas (see below), or from Tarrant County. Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their individual degree program.
• Applicants must submit a written statement of financial need.
• Applicants must submit a brief letter from a teacher attesting to the applicant's need.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled in at least 12 semester hours, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and be a news editorial major with the intent to pursue a career in consumer newspapers.
• Applicants who come from the Pineywoods area will be given preference. Those applicants would be considered from the counties listed below.

42 COUNTIES DEFINED AS THE EAST TEXAS REGION

Jim Mahoney left North Texas State University for an award-winning career in photojournalism. For 40 years, his work deepened and enlivened the pages of the Denton Record-Chronicle (1971-79) and the Dallas Morning News (1979-2011). With a keen eye, technical skills, and an artist's instincts, he and his cameras recorded life across North Texas and far beyond, capturing people and scenes, finding the heart of stories, from joy to sorrow. His work in Denton elevated his hometown paper and drew talented photographers to his staff. In Dallas, he became the Morning News' first photo editor and a trusted mentor before returning to his passion: making pictures. Jim died in March 2021. His remarkable work has preserved moments in time. And his mentoring will continue, supporting budding photojournalists through the Jim Mahoney Memorial Scholarship in Photojournalism.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the University.
• Applicants must maintain at least part-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time as undergraduate students in the Mayborn School of Journalism with a concentration in photojournalism.
• Applicants must submit a one-page, single-spaced essay explaining why they are interested in photojournalism, what their goal is in this profession, and describing a photojournalist they admire and why.
• Applicants must submit a sample of their work, such as a selection of photos they have taken and/or a video they created.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their individual degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in the Mayborn School of Journalism.

Junetta Davis earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree and was a professor of journalism at UNT.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their individual degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in the News Concentration in the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• If no student meets these requirements, then students enrolling full-time in any major in the Mayborn School of Journalism at UNT will be eligible for consideration.

The Keith Shelton Scholarship was established by friends, former students, and fans of Keith Shelton. Shelton is a retired lecturer, was the first NT Daily adviser, worked at UNT for 23 years, taught several notable Pulitzer Prize winners or finalists who attended UNT, and is a former Denton Record-Chronicle editor.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Demonstrate eligibility for need-based financial assistance as determined by the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or its successor.

John Kidney established this scholarship to honor Kenneth M. Jeanis.

• Applicants must be full-time seniors or graduate students with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Applicants must be active in campus activities pursuing coursework leading to a career in public relations.
• Applicants, whenever possible, are individuals with public relations experience.

Established by Benjamin A. Baby, a 2013 Mayborn School of Journalism graduate and ESPN's NFL Nation team reporter for the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I've had a very successful journalism career based on the foundation that was built by North Texas and the skills and lessons learned from the student-run media organizations. I'm honored to have an opportunity to reward North Texas students who are actively looking to sharpen those traits and skills during their undergraduate careers."

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in the Mayborn School of Journalism
• Applicants must have and maintain a GPA of 2.9 or higher.
• Applicants must be an active member of a student-run media organization at the University.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must have and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Applicants must submit an essay of a minimum of 600 words on the impact and consequences of drunk driving on the victims and their families. This essay is to consider the need for stronger penalties and punishments across the nation, and it will include a statistical analysis between judicial judgments on intoxication manslaughter versus murder convictions.
• Applicants must demonstrate ineligibility for need-based financial assistance as determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (or its successor), which includes an application process that contains a written release from the student to share FAFSA information between University departments and donors coordinating related award processes.
• Preferences will be given to applicants who work part-time (at least 15 hours a week) or have documented service work with a faith-based community/organization and/or a community service project.

The scholarship is in honor of Dee and Osborne Linquist. It is open to all news, editorial, and broadcast news students who have a minor or concentration, or a second major, in political science.

Recer is a UNT journalism graduate. He was an Associated Press reporter but is now retired.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their individual degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time juniors or seniors (with a declared major) in the Mayborn School of Journalism and demonstrate financial need, as determined by their FAFSA.

• Applicants must meet minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn School of Journalism.
• Applicants must maintain full-time enrollment at UNT, unless they have fewer than twice the number of semester hours required to be full-time remaining in their degree program.
• Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students majoring in Journalism.
• Applicants must demonstrate eligibility for need-based financial assistance as determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA).

• Meet the minimum entrance and continuing academic performance standards of the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism in effect at the time of any award.
• Enroll as a graduate student in the Frank W. Mayborn Graduate Institute at the University; if no applicant meets this criterion, funds will be held for future awards.