School of Journalism Scholarships & Endowments

The generosity of P.I. Reed School of Journalism (SOJ) alumni and friends helps to provide financial support for our undergraduate students, as well as professional development opportunities for both students and faculty. Private giving also provides the support needed to attract top communication professionals and award-winning journalists to our faculty through named chairs and professorships.

Because of this generosity, the SOJ typically awards more than $75,000 in undergraduate student scholarships each year. Undergraduate students apply for SOJ scholarships in a process separate from WVU scholarships by submitting an SOJ Scholarship Application in the spring semester. Students are notified via SOJ eNews about the application process and deadlines.

Students do not apply for individual scholarships within the SOJ but are matched to individual scholarship funds based on scholarship criteria, including academic performance, financial need, geographic location and other parameters.

To be considered for an SOJ scholarship, students must also file a FAFSA form by March 1 of the preceding academic year. (See the WVU Financial Aid website for more information.) The SOJ Scholarships are awarded in the summer before the fall semester and cover the entire academic year.

The Paul S. & Theo S. Deem Book Scholarship

Established by Pam & Karl Yagle

"Creating a textbook scholarship in my parents’ honor equals ‘coming full circle.’ My mother, Theo S. Deem, ‘38, coincidentally worked as a part-time 1934-38 secretary for the WVU physics department chairman plus 2-3 other professors in Martin Hall. In 1943-44 she returned from a Farm Security Administration home economist’s job in Preston County, W.Va. (where she had worked with low-income farm families) to assist six College of Education professors—again in Martin Hall. At that time the School of Pharmacy was in the basement, and Pre-Med was across the hall from Education. Her home economics, biological sciences (botany, biology, zoology) and library science majors ultimately led to appreciating much in life—good cooking, interior design, travel, flower gardens, history, Girl Scout leadership, church and Eastern Star.

My late father, Paul S. Deem,’42, applied his music and social studies education degrees after having been the 1942-43 WVU Marching Band student conductor, a 3-year Men’s Glee Club/quartet member, a campus dance band vocalist/instrumentalist and the first WAJR Radio performer in Morgantown.

Following University of Michigan graduate work, he taught for 36 years in Uniontown, Pa., area schools while serving as director of two church choirs, Community Chorus and SPEBSQSA barbershop choruses. The talented trumpeter, baritone saxophonist, wedding soloist and three-time barbershop quartet member also enjoyed being a Rotary song leader/newsletter editor, taking/developing yearbook pictures, filming Friday night football for a Pittsburgh TV station, traveling, camping, fishing, citizens’ band radio and do-it-yourself projects.

My husband, Karl, and I think it’s important to remember this genuinely thoughtful couple who have unselfishly helped so many. Perhaps each Paul S. and Theo S. Deem Textbook Scholarship will offset one student’s annual college expenses and broaden his/her horizons as our endowment preserves Mom’s and Dad’s legacy."

The Thomas Picarsic Scholarship in Journalism

Established by Christine & Greg Martin

"My father was the first-generation American son of Polish immigrants. He wanted to go to college, but he never got there.

His family—coal miner/farmers—were strapped with 10 kids. So they put him, the oldest son, to work in the mines even before he finished his eight years of formal education.

But despite the fact that he never got a diploma, my father was the smartest man I have ever known. His wisdom told him to send me, his only child, to college. He wanted me to study at a university—so I could dream big, so I could be somebody.

Three years ago, I endowed a scholarship in his name—the Thomas Picarsic Scholarship in Journalism. That scholarship is my father’s legacy of learning.

For every year to come, my dad will help some bright young journalist to finish college, to dream big, to be somebody.

That is what giving to the School of Journalism is all about. It’s about building a legacy of learning for generations to come. It’s about helping young people to come to the School of Journalism, launched on their families’ hopes and dreams. And it’s about sending them out into the world, to create their own futures in newsrooms and agencies across the country.

My father didn’t graduate from college, but his dream will help to build the dreams of generations of School of Journalism students. And the end, it will help to build the future of journalism."

The Scott D. Widmeyer First-Generation/African American Scholarships

Established by Scott Widmeyer

"Education truly opens the door to opportunity. That was the driving force for me to establish two scholarship funds at WVU- one for first-generation West Virginians and the other for African-Americans. Over the years, both of these constituencies have faced roadblocks in getting ahead, and in particular, going to college. Whatever I can do to make the path a little more certain, I want to be out front. I believe it is part of my civic responsibility to my community, my state, my country and my university."