Texas broadcasters push to expand scholarships

posted on 12.08.2015

Texas broadcasters are stepping up efforts to recruit creative, socially engaged and tech savvy high school and college students into the industry by expanding scholarship offerings intended to offset the soaring cost of a college education. The move is one strategy to ensure broadcasters are securing the talent needed to continue succeeding in a rapidly evolving media marketplace.

The Texas Broadcast Education Foundation’s scholarship program annually awards eight $2,000 scholarships and one $5,000 scholarship to broadcast students at Texas colleges and universities.

TBEF typically fields three times as many scholarship applications as we can award.  Each year, the scholarship committee leaves at least half a dozen worthy applicants empty handed – students we are confident would help advance our industry.

With interest rates on the endowment funds barely covering the cost of the scholarships, additional personal and corporate donations are needed to help train the next generation of broadcasters.

As a special incentive, TBEF has secured permission from TAB to dedicate markers at the Ann Arnold Center for $750 donors.  The markers will be installed on the Broadcast Leaders Wall at one of the main entrances to TAB’s home. 

Information on additional giving options and making donations can be found here.  Contributions to TBEF, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible. 

TBEF Board of Directors:

• President - Ben Downs, Bryan Broadcasting
• 1st Vice President - Patti C. Smith, KVUE-TV Austin
• 2nd Vice President - Mary "Mike" Hatcher, Bryan Broadcasting
• Treasurer - Jackie Rutledge, KWAB / KWES / KTLE / KTLD Odessa-Midland
• Secretary - Oscar Rodriguez, TAB President
• Larry Beaulieu
• Dan Bell
• Wendell Mayes, Jr., TAB Chairman (1964)
• Sherry Williford, Stephen F. Austin University

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

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