Rewarding Excellence
At its annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet each spring, the School of Communication and Journalism awards more than $44,000 in scholarships to its students. These scholarships are made possible by the generous gifts of alumni and friends of the department.
Freshman Scholarships
The following scholarships are awarded in the fall to incoming freshmen.
Fritz and Ida Clement Scholarship: The Fritz and Ida Clement Scholarship was established in memory of Ida by her husband, Fritz, in 1985. Ida Clement, a native of Java, S.D., entered the newspaper business in 1926. She was editor of the Java Herald and Selby Record. Fritz Clement became publisher of the Java Herald after his father's death in 1922. He was president of the South Dakota Press Association in 1950-51, and received the SDPA's Distinguished Service Award in 1984. He died in 1993.
D.J. Cline Memorial Scholarship: D.J. Cline was an associate professor in the department during the 1970s and 1980s who left an indelible impression on hundreds of students because she cared so much about them. She was director of the department's internship program and director of the South Dakota High School Press Association. D.J. was nationally known for her First Amendment work, and she was national president of the National Federation of Press Women from 1981 to 1983.
Mary J. Perpich Scholarship: Mary J. Perpich is associate professor emerita of Journalism and Mass Communication at South Dakota State University. After 40 years working in mass media at newspapers and teaching at three universities, she retired from the SDSU Journalism Department in December, 2004. It was her 20th year in that job. The first 10 years of her media experience came from jobs at newspapers in Michigan and Montreal, Canada. After that, she taught journalism at Michigan State University, and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
CDR James F. Roth Scholarship: Jim grew up in Estelline, graduating with EHS Class of 1950. He earned his bachelor of science degree in agricultural journalism from South Dakota State College in 1955. Following graduation, he earned an officer's commission at Reserve Officers Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island. Jim had a 20-year career serving as a jet attack pilot, flight instructor, and for nine years as head production flight test pilot. Jim lives in East Setauket, New York, with his wife, Bente. They have five children.
List of Scholarships
Abel, Phillips, Evenson Scholarship: The Abel, Phillips, Evenson Scholarship was created by the SDSU Journalism and Mass Communication Department to honor printing professors Albert Evenson, '30; Oscar Abel, '42; and George Phillips, '29, professor of journalism and head of the journalism department for 24 years. All three were SDSU grads and granted professor emeritus status upon retirement. Evenson died in 1988, Abel died in 1993 and Phillips died in 1990.
Ag United for South Dakota Scholarship: Ag United for South Dakota is a group of farmers, ranchers, and other members of rural communities across South Dakota who believe in growing agriculture—the number one industry in our state. Their mission is very simple—promoting and advancing farm and ranch families and rural communities in South Dakota.
Mary Peterson Arnold Scholarship: Mary Peterson Arnold was head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication from 2002 to 2017. A native of Mitchell, Arnold was on the faculty at Ball State University in Muncie and the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Iowa City. She also managed youth editorial and diversity programs for the Newspaper Association of America Foundation in Vienna, VA.
James D. Ashley Memorial Scholarship: James D. Ashley graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls in 1920. He was employed by the Argus Leader for 47 years beginning in 1920. His tenure included 20 years as sports editor, five years as city editor, 12 years as managing editor and five as Sunday editor. He retired in 1967 and died in 1994.
Harold W. Card Memorial Scholarship: The Harold W. Card Memorial Scholarship was established in 1975 by gifts from his family. He was editor of the Tyndall Tribune and also managing editor of the Rapid City Journal. He was publisher of the Reporter and Farmer in Webster. He died in 1974.
F.N. "Denny" Cosgrove Memorial Scholarship: The F.N. "Denny" Cosgrove Memorial Scholarship was established by his wife, Harriet, in 1981. Cosgrove purchased the Garden City Tribune and became its editor and publisher. Cosgrove was also involved in South Dakota politics and was an aide to Gov. George T. Mickelson and state chairman of the Republican Party in South Dakota.
David & Doris McMath Evans Memorial Scholarship: The David and Doris McMath Evans Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Doris by her husband David in 1971. Doris graduated from SDSU in 1952 and taught in Salem, Bryant and Clearbrook in South Dakota and Peterson and Lanesboro in Minnesota.
E.B. Harding Memorial Scholarship: E.B. Harding was a former printing instructor at SDSU for 23 years until his retirement in 1954. Prior to joining the Printing Department at SDSU, he worked for newspapers throughout the Midwest. For more than three decades he was a contributing editor to Graphic Arts Monthly.
George Hazard Memorial Scholarship: The George Hazard Scholarship was established in memory of George Hazard by friends and family in 1954. Hazard earned his bachelor of science degree in printing and rural journalism from SDSU in 1952. He was a member of the Milbank Herald-Advance newspaper staff at the time of his death in 1954.
Les Helgeland Memorial Scholarship: The Les Helgeland Memorial Scholarship was established by his family, friends, and associates. After operating the Emery Enterprise for two years, he worked for the Mitchell Daily Republic, Yankton Public Opinion and Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan. He became executive editor of the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan in 1967. He died in 1982.
Joan M. Hogan Scholarship: Joan Marie Hogan earned both the Bachelor of Science (1994) and the Master of Science (1997) degrees from South Dakota State University. She was an instructor in the Communication Studies and Theatre Department at SDSU. In 1967, she and Ed moved their family to Brookings where Ed had accepted a position at SDSU developing the state's only geography program.
M.H. & Mary Jane Ingalls Scholarship: Larry Ingalls created this award in honor of his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Ingalls. M.H. was editor at Murdo. Larry, a SDSU journalism grad, was editor of the Webster Reporter and Farmer. Both M.H. and Larry are in the South Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Sandy Johnson & Charles Raasch Scholarship: Sandy Johnson graduated from SDSU in 1978 with degrees in political science and journalism. Sandy started with the Associated Press upon graduation and retired as Washington D.C. bureau chief in 2008. She joined The Center for Public Integrity as managing editor for politics and government in 2010. Currently, Sandy is CEO and President of the National Press Foundation. She took over that position in 2014. Charles Raasch graduated from SDSU in 1976 with a degree in journalism. His current position is the Washington correspondent for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. That position began in 2014 after returning to the USA Today as a national correspondent in 2012. He has also worked at the Huron Daily Plainsman, the Argus Leader and USA Today before joining Gannett News Service in 1986.
Ralph and Alice (Zantow) Kane Scholarship: Ralph E. Kane wrote the "Column Write" for the Collegian when he was a student and soldier in the Army Specialize Training Program in 1944. He was the vice president of finance for the First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Wooster, Ohio, until his retirement in 1983. Alice Kane received her bachelor's degree in home economics in 1944.
Phyllis & Bob Karolevitz Scholarship: The Phyllis and Bob Karolevitz Scholarship was established in 1986 by Phyllis and Bob. Bob received his bachelor of science degree in Printing and Rural Journalism from SDSU in 1947 and did all of his writing in Mission Hill. He wrote more than 20 books and countless newspaper columns.
David Kranz Scholarship: David Kranz was the dean of political reporting in South Dakota for nearly three decades before retiring in 2010. Kranz, a native of Watertown, South Dakota, worked as a city reporter, then city editor for the Austin (Minn) Daily Herald from 1968 to 1976. He was managing editor of the Mitchell (S.D.) Daily Republic from 1976 to 1983. He joined the Argus Leader in 1983 as executive city editor. He moved to managing editor in 1988, then stepped back into the reporter's role in 1992.
Ruth Laird & Woody Wentzy Scholarship: The Laird-Wentzy Scholarship was established in 1980 by friends and associates of Professors Ruth Laird and Woodrow Wentzy. Both were associate professors on the Journalism and Mass Communication Department staff. Laird served for 14 years and was named associate professor emeritus of journalism. Wentzy served for 34 years and was named associate professor of journalism and acting director of educational media emeritus in 1980. He died in 1997.
Richard & MaryJo Benton Lee Scholarship: Dick Lee was head of the department for 24 years, from 1978 until 2002. The Lees have worked together for many years attempting to increase the diversity of both the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and the University. MaryJo was the co-founder and coordinator of the SDSU-Flandreau Indian School Success Academy, an early and intensive college preparatory program for Native American high school students.
Wendell E. Long Memorial Scholarship: Wendell E. Long, along with his wife Mary, published the weekly Bennett County Booster II at Martin from 1950 until 1994. Wendell was a dedicated third generation newspaper publisher who attended South Dakota State College (now SDSU) taking journalism and printing courses. In 1987, Wendell received SDNA's Distinguished Service award and was selected to the South Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1992.
Jean E. Macksam Scholarship: Jean Costie Macksam was born in northern Ontario, Canada and came to the U.S. when she was a teenager. She married William Macksam in 1942. Bill held a position in the Department of Horticulture at South Dakota State College from 1954 to 1965. Jean earned a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's in communication studies. Jean Macksam passed away on December 21, 2004.
William J. and Opal A. McDermott Scholarship: William J. McDermott was advertising manager of the Huron Daily Plainsman, publisher of the Highmore Herald and State Publicity Director for Governor Nils Boe. He served as general manager of the South Dakota Newspaper Association from 1968 until his retirement in 1982. His wife, Opal, was co-owner and publisher of the Highmore newspaper.
Mobridge Tribune Scholarship: The Mobridge Tribune Scholarship was established by the former publisher of the Mobridge Tribune, Gene Chamberlin and his wife, Margaret. Gene was a past president of the South Dakota Newspaper Association and a consultant to weekly and daily newspapers across the country. Margy Chamberlin was involved in the daily and business operations and was a columnist for the newspaper.
Helen F. Morganti Scholarship: Helen F. Morganti received her master's degree in public relations and mass communications from SDSU in 1962. She was the journalism adviser at Lead/Deadwood High School for many years. She was very active in the South Dakota High School Press Association. She died in 2001.
Chad Nelson Memorial Scholarship: Bob and Sharen Nelson have established this scholarship in memory of their son, Chad, a 1999 graduate of the department who passed away unexpectedly in 2008. During his years at SDSU, Chad was a member of the Advertising Club and Manager of the Collegian. Chad was an inspiration to his fellow students and is fondly remembered by the faculty.
Chad Nelson "Let's Do This" Advertising Scholarship: The annual Nelson Classic Golf Tournament established this scholarship in memory of Chad Nelson who graduated from the department in 1999 and passed away unexpectedly in 2008. The scholarship is named after one of his favorite sayings, "Let's Do This!"
Newspaper Hall Of Fame Scholarship: The Newspaper Hall of Fame Scholarship was created in 1974 through contributions to the Newspaper Hall of Fame, a living memorial for outstanding South Dakota newspaper men and women. Each year a new journalist is inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Benjamin H. Schaphorst Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was made possible from the estate of Benjamin Schaphorst, who died at the age of 97 in 1988. In his will he said: "By way of explanation, I will say I became interested in journalism when I changed the Collegian from a monthly magazine to a weekly newspaper." He graduated from South Dakota State College in 1912 and practiced law in Brookings from 1926 until 1979. Schaphorst played an instrumental role in the establishment of the SDSU Foundation in 1945.
South Dakota Newspaper Association Scholarships: The South Dakota Newspaper Association represents all daily and weekly newspapers in the state. In addition to its scholarship program, the Association provides support to the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and the South Dakota High School Press Association. Dave Bordewyk, a 1984 SDSU graduate, is the general manager of the South Dakota Newspaper Association.
Robert Steffes Scholarship: The Robert Steffes Scholarship was established by Robert Steffes, a professor emeritus of journalism from California State University, Long Beach. He received his bachelor of science degree in Printing and Rural Journalism in 1937 where he was active in the various student publications and organizations. In 1991, Robert Steffes was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at SDSU. He died in 1996.
Windsor A. & Pamela P. Straw Memorial Scholarship: The Windsor A. and Pamela P. Straw Scholarship was established by their daughter Pamela Anne Straw, a 1953 graduate of SDSU. Windsor Straw was an instructor in printing at SDSU, teaching graphic arts, newspaper composition and makeup, and layout and design. He was named superintendent of the printing laboratory in 1940, and served in that capacity until 1954 when he was named university editor. Mrs. Straw died in 1985, and Windsor Straw died in 1987.
Harold K. Street Scholarship: This scholarship was created by Dr. Orman E. Street, a 1924 graduate of SDSU, in memory of his son, Harold K. Street, who died in 1981 at the age of 49. Harold graduated from SDSU in 1953 in agricultural journalism. He held several positions including working in public relations with the Independent Bankers' Association of America in Sauk Centre, Minn.
Verl Thomson Scholarship: Friends and family established this scholarship in 1985 in honor of Verl Thomson, a pioneer broadcaster from Sioux Falls. In 1967, he became the first executive secretary of the South Dakota Broadcasters Association, a position he held for more than 20 years.
John and Genevieve Whalen Journalism Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the children of John and Genevieve Whalen on the Whalen's' Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1989. John spent 17 years at the Mitchell Daily Republic leaving in 1959 to become Director of Publicity for the Department of Highways for the State of South Dakota. He and Gen purchased the Tyndall Tribune and Register in 1960. They added the Springfield Times in 1966 and published both until 1971.
Barbara Whitehead Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was created in 2005 in loving memory of Barbara Ann Whitehead by her husband George and son Louis. Louis received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from SDSU. Barbara died in 2005 at the age of 67.
Anson & Ada May Yeager Scholarship: This scholarship was funded by Anson and Ada May (Bidwell) Yeager of Sioux Falls. Ada May was a 1943 graduate of SDSU with a degree in history, and Anson was a 1947 graduate of SDSU with a degree in journalism. Anson began his career in journalism by writing obituaries for the Argus Leader, and in 1961 he was named editorial page editor and executive editor, a role he filled for 16 years. Anson died in 2005, and Ada May in 2009.
Patanna Zimmerman Scholarship: This scholarship creates a lasting legacy for Patanna Zimmerman who was born and raised in Java and joined the Aberdeen American News editorial department in 1989. Her experience in teaching business skills, and knowledge of the use of the English language were put to use in a newsroom environment. She died from cancer in 2005 at the age of 50.