Ann Arnold Scholarship effort exceeds fundraising goal

 - $5,000 to be awarded annually beginning 2014

Texas broadcasters’ efforts to raise a $150,000 endowment to fund a scholarship honoring TAB’s longtime president, Ann Arnold, has concluded, with the effort exceeding goal by $5,000.

Contributions were received from 105 donors, including individual broadcasters, station groups, industry vendors and friends over a 12-month period after Arnold died unexpectedly in her office on Sept. 1, 2012.

She led TAB for 25 years as a passionate and effective advocate for Texas broadcasters in Austin and Washington, DC, and earned nationwide respect, in part, for her efforts to advance the federal government’s emergency communications system.

Lowry and Mark Mays kicked off the fundraising effort with a $10,000 contribution from the Clear Channel Foundation and an additional $15,000 challenge grant awarded upon securing $135,000 from other sources. 

Combined with a substantial gift from the Jackson Walker law firm, as well as significant contributions from several station groups, the effort represents the largest and most successful fundraising effort for the Texas Broadcast Education Foundation which TAB established in 1973.

“The speed with which we were able to achieve our goal attests to the great esteem in which Ann was held by industry leaders and friends alike,” said TBEF President Ben Downs.

“She would have been especially pleased that we didn’t spend money on cocktail receptions or fancy dinners to reach our goal, as she was always intent on marshalling resources where they were most needed.”

The $5,000 Ann Arnold Scholarship will be offered annually beginning this year to advanced students pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism and in financial need.  TBEF awards eight other scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each. Application forms will be distributed beginning next month.

In addition to the scholarship, TAB renamed its building in downtown Austin the “Ann Arnold Center” and installed a permanent memorial marker highlighting her contributions to the industry and the State, the costs of which were underwritten by past TAB Chairman John Barger.

Questions?  Contact TAB's Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.