Virginia Commonwealth University College of Humanities and Sciences

School of Mass Communications and Brandcenter scholarships

The following scholarships are available to students enrolled in either the School of Mass Communications or the Brandcenter. An asterisk (*) signifies that an application is required. 

School of Mass Communications

Please contact the School of Mass Communications at (804) 828-2660 for more information regarding the following scholarships.

Alden Aaroe Scholarship

Amount: As determined by VCU Foundation distribution policy
Deadline: March 1 Apply Now 

Frances Aaroe established this fund in 1994 in memory of her husband Alden Aaroe, a broadcast journalist and one of Richmond’s most popular radio personalities. This scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior mass communications student studying journalism with a 3.0 or higher GPA. This award is based heavily on GPA.

Gene B. Creasy Scholarship

Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 1 Apply Now 

Established by Cindy Creasy Woolfolk (B.S. ’87) in 1999 in honor of her father, broadcast veteran Gene B. Creasy, this scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior broadcast major from Virginia with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

George T. Crutchfield Journalism Scholarship

Amount: As determined by VCU Foundation distribution policy
Deadline: March 1 Apply Now 

This fund was created in 1989 by friends and family of George T. Crutchfield, a faculty member and former director of the School of Mass Communications. The scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior majoring in the news-editorial program, and is based on academic achievement, financial need and the promise of success in newspaper work.

Martin Agency Endowed Scholarship

Amount: As determined by VCU Foundation distribution policy
Deadline: March 1 Apply Now 

The Martin Agency of Richmond created this scholarship in 1989. It is awarded to a rising senior minority student majoring in advertising or public relations.

Joseph S. Mason Scholarship

Amount: As determined by VCU Foundation distribution policy
Deadline: March 1 Apply Now 

Richard (B.S. ’83) and Elizabeth (B.S. ’84) Mason created this scholarship fund in 1994 in honor of Richard Mason’s father, Joseph. It is awarded to a mass communications senior who is studying advertising. The award is based on merit, as well as demonstrated student and community leadership.

Robert Beverly Orndorff Scholarship

Amount: As determined by VCU Foundation distribution policy
Deadline: March 1 Apply Now 

R. Beverly Orndorff, former science and medicine reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, is honored with this scholarship, established by Media General/Richmond Newspapers Inc. in 1997. The scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior undergraduate or graduate mass communications student interested in pursuing science reporting in print journalism. Academic achievement is the main criterion.

Scott Stevens Scholarship

Amount: As determined by VCU Foundation distribution policy
Deadline: March 1 Apply Now 

Clinton Smith, a popular Richmond radio personality known as Scott Stevens, was a member of the adjunct faculty in the School of Mass Communications for several years, teaching radio production and writing classes. The scholarship, established by friends and colleagues of Stevens upon his death in 2003, honors his teaching legacy and will be awarded annually to an upper division broadcast journalism student interested in pursuing a broadcasting career.

T. Edward Temple and Polly D. Temple Writing Award

Amount: As determined by VCU Foundation distribution policy
Deadline: March 1 Apply Now 

The late Morton Wallerstein created this scholarship in 1976 in honor of T. Edward and Polly D. Temple. Scholarships are awarded to rising senior mass communications majors chosen by the faculty as the most promising writers in print journalism.

Virginia Communications Hall of Fame Scholarship

Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 1 Apply Now 

In recognition of outstanding Virginia communicators, this scholarship was established by the school’s faculty and funded by an anonymous donor in 1992. It is awarded to an undergraduate student based on merit, need and writing skills.

Brandcenter

The Brandcenter currently has more than a dozen scholarships available to qualified students who possess outstanding promise in their chosen career track. Many of these scholarships are endowed through foundations established to honor highly respected individuals in the advertising industry; others are funded through industry-related nonprofit organizations. Upon acceptance into the program, students will receive more details on eligibility requirements, as well as a Brandcenter scholarship application form. Criteria and application details vary. For information on these funds, please contact the Brandcenter at (804) 828-8384.