Journalism School Welcomes 44 Walter Williams Scholars

Christina Andrade	Sarah Andrews	Joe Bodlovich	Paul Byrne	Elliot Cade
Aaron Channon	Cory Deal	Brianna Dunn	Dan Flynn	Jennifer Hacker
Rachel Heaton	Molly Hulse	Danielle Karstens	Rachael Keck	Brett Knight
Amelia Lamp	Rebecca Legel	Jessica Lin	Robert Mays	Roseann Moring
Elle Moxley	Justin Myers	Sarah Palmer	Benjamin Paul	Brian Pellot
Bill Powell	Emily Rau	Taylor Rausch	Andrew Rea	Lisa Rogers
Scott Schmitt	Austin Schowen- gerdt	Jessica Showers	Joshua Skurnik	Tyson Sprick
Juana Summers	Eric Thibault	David Thiessen	Matt Velker	Linda Waterborg
Steve Weinman Andrew Wesche Phoebe Wu Polina Yamshchikov

High-Achieving Students Earned at Least a 33 on the ACT

By Audrey Holaday

Brian Brooks Journalism Studies Associate Dean Jennifer Rowe Magazine Journalism Faculty

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Fall 2006 Walter Williams Scholars Welcomed to MU

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2006 Walter Williams Scholars Composite Photo

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Columbia, Mo. (Sept. 20, 2006) -- Forty-four freshmen were recognized as Walter Williams Scholars in a recent ceremony, making the 2006 class the largest group ever to become a part of this elite program. In all, 117 students are enjoying Walter Williams Scholar benefits.

Scholars' mentors presented them with a certificate and a copy of the book "A Creed for My Profession: Walter Williams, Journalist to the World." Williams, the School's founding dean, was a Missouri newspaper publisher who went on to become president of the University of Missouri.

The Walter Williams Scholars program recognizes the highest-achieving incoming journalism students at Missouri. To be considered for the program, applicants must earn an ACT score of at least a 33 (1470 on the SAT).

"Since implementing the program in 2004, we have quadrupled the number of the highest-ability students enrolled in the School of Journalism," says Brian S. Brooks, associate dean for undergraduate studies. "Our overall student body is a bright, bright group, and faculty members love working with that kind of student."

Walter Williams Scholars receive numerous benefits, including a $1,000 scholarship to help fund a study abroad program, a personal faculty mentor, enrollment in a special Freshman Interest Group (FIG) and automatic admission to the School's master's program if certain requirements are met.

Amelia Lamp, of Copley, Ohio, has big dreams for her scholarship. She says she would like to study abroad, and is already is working toward landing an internship at ESPN.

The FIG, a group of first-year students who share similar academic interests, eases the transition from high school to college. The students are enrolled in three classes together and often become each other's best resource for studying and homework.

"It helps to be in each other's classes, especially labs," says Rachael Keck, of Quincy, Ill.

Keck is not the only Walter Williams Scholar who appreciates the fact that their FIG brings them together.

"The best aspect of the FIG is the people," Danielle Karstens, of St. Peters, Mo., says. "I was concerned when coming to college that it would be difficult to make friends, but since I immediately met the other Walter Williams scholars in my FIG, and because we all live in the same dorm and have the same classes, I've found that I always have people to hang out with and have made fast friends. And, even though we all have 33 or above on the ACT, we are definitely not boring, dorky people!"

While the scholars themselves are a supportive group for each other, each scholar also can rely on his or her faculty mentor.

"My favorite part about being a Walter Williams Scholar is the fact that I've had so many opportunities to get to know the journalism faculty," Karstens says. "For example, Brian Brooks had the Walter Williams Scholars over for a Labor Day barbeque. I also have a Walter Williams mentor who specializes in the field of journalism I want to enter."

Mentors enjoy working closely with scholars, pointing out that it's a rewarding experience for both sides.

"The Walter Williams Scholar program gives students an opportunity to get to know faculty members on a more personal basis as well as make them feel as if they have someone to go to for questions and as a resource," says Jennifer Moeller, associate professor of magazine journalism. "Perhaps the mentors can show the students that faculty members are human, we aren't intimidating and are eager to help and assist."

One thing is for certain: This year's talented group of 44 Walter Williams Scholars will take full advantage of the numerous benefits offered by Missouri's top journalism program.

Related

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Nov. 2, 2005: Walter Williams Scholar Blogs for AOL's Red Service David Ubben, a Missouri School of Journalism freshman and a Walter Williams Scholar, dreams of becoming a great sports writer. In the meantime, he is a well-known blogger on the AOL® Red™ service for teens. Ubben is one of only six students in the United States to be featured on this first-of-its-kind reality series. Titled "Project: Freshman," the service includes videos, confessionals and daily blogs of the cast members at college. [More]

Sept. 7, 2005: Freshmen Get Involved at Fall Welcome Students and faculty alike greeted the beginning of a new school year Tuesday at the School of Journalism's "Fall Welcome." Nearly 20 organizations were on hand in the journalism courtyard to talk with freshman about joining clubs and activities. As freshmen walked among the activity tables, they could ask questions of older students and faculty who were present. [More]

March 24, 2004: Top Incoming Journalism Undergraduates Also Admitted to Graduate Program It is now possible for the top incoming undergraduate journalism students to be admitted to the Missouri School of Journalism's graduate program. Walter Williams Scholars, incoming undergraduate students who have scored a 33 or above on the ACT (1470 on the SAT), can be enrolled in the five-year program. This allows students to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees within five years. [More]