Online Master’s Student Wins $5,000 Communications Industry Award
Hilarey Wojtowicz Accepted Her New York Women in Communications Foundation Scholarship at the 2016 Matrix Awards Event
New York (April 26, 2016) — A Missouri School of Journalism online master’s student was among the elite group of scholarship recipients recognized by the New York Women in Communications Foundation.
Hilarey Wojtowicz accepted her $5,000 prize at the annual Matrix Awards, considered the communications industry’s event of the year. It was held on April 25 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City with more than 1,000 people from the industry in attendance. She is one of only 22 to receive this prestigious scholarship this year.
Wojtowicz, of Linden, New Jersey, is a second-year graduate student on the interactive multimedia track at the Missouri School of Journalism. She is an assistant managing editor for the social content platform, Odyssey. The company works with 10,000-plus millennial writers across the United States to publish stories that offer unique perspectives on relevant topics in today’s local and national communities. Wojtowicz is also an alumna of The College of New Jersey.
Before the event, Wojtowicz and the 21 other recipients made an appearance on NBC’s “Today Show” and were interviewed by Dylan Dreyer. The awards ceremony was emceed by Andy Cohen and featured Matrix Award winners and presenters including Lena Dunham, Gloria Steinem, Katie Couric, Liz Kaplow, Bonnie Hammer and Nancy Dubuc, among others.
“We are ecstatic to welcome these remarkable young women into our New York Women in Communications family,” said Linda Descano, president, New York Women in Communications Foundation. “Their accomplishments and determination to succeed is commendable, and they are already well on their way to becoming the next generation of female leaders.”
The Missouri School of Journalism’s online master’s program is geared toward mid-career professionals who continue to work full time while completing their graduate coursework on a part-time basis. The program’s more than 100 graduates work in various local, regional and national media organizations around the world.
The New York Women in Communications Foundation is the largest foundation for communications scholarships for women in the country, with denominations of monetary scholarships in total of more than $100,000. Since the Foundation’s formal establishment in 2000, it has issued close to $1.5 million in scholarship support. Scholarships are awarded annually based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community-service activities, honors and other awards or recognition, work experience, statement of goals and aspirations.
Updated: September 24, 2020