WASHINGTON, DC –Washington Media Scholars Foundation (WMSF) held its 14^th annual scholarship awards luncheon today, attended by 150 media executives, university faculty, student finalists, alumni, WMSF staff, volunteers and leadership.  A total of $25,500 in student scholarships were awarded at the final event capping off a week-long immersive student experience and advertising policy media case competition. Distributed annually, WMSF expects to award an estimated $130,000 in scholarships in 2023.  Washington Media Scholars Foundation is the top national scholarship program for aspiring public policy communication and advertising leaders, since 2009.

The 2023 Media Plan Case Competition winners are Megan Groathouse & Adriana Inés Rivera Rodríguez from Iowa State University, taking home the top prizes of $5,000 each.  The second place team, Katie Russell & Harrison Haycock from Brigham Young University received scholarships of $3000 each.  Additionally, the annual Mia Guion Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Alexis Riesberg from Loras College.  The Excellence in Leadership award was presented to TEGNA President & CEO, Dave Lougee.  Keynote remarks were made by 2012 Media Scholar finalist Chris Beauregard.

“Today we once again celebrate media’s future leaders— the Media Scholars – as well as the industry’s current leaders who have generously invested in them.  From the students from colleges and universities across the country, to the media companies that make this experience and their scholarships possible, Washington Media Scholars Foundation represents a shared commitment to excellence in media,” said WMSF Founder and President Robin D. Roberts.

Since its inception, media industry sponsors have contributed more than $3 million to support 811 students from 219 unique colleges and universities with scholarships and career opportunities through WMSF.  Gray Television and Katz Media Group are the 2023 Presenting Sponsors.  Additionally, Tegna and The Washington Post are Premiere Sponsors, with Nexstar and CBS Television Stations serving as Lead Sponsors.  A full list of WMSF’s community of industry sponsors can be found here.

Twelve exceptional college students were selected to be the 2023 Media Scholars, competing in teams for a combined total of $25,500 in scholarships and a week-long professional development and mentoring experience in Washington DC.  The multi-round Media Plan Case Competition requires students to prepare a comprehensive media plan and present them to a panel of industry expert judges.  2023 judges include Daniel Jester (GMMB), Becky Meyer (Gray TV), Lauren Rich (Ampersand), Amber Lyons (PhRMA), Doug Hoey (National Community Pharmacists Association), Erin Rexroth (National Community Pharmacists Association).

The Media Plan Case Competition is Washington Media Scholars Foundation’s merit-based scholarship program.  It challenges students to think strategically and dive into the deep-end of marketing impressions, numbers and budgets.  Teams of two create a strategic media plan based on a hypothetical public policy issue using actual, real-world data from leading national research and ratings firms to effectively reach their target audiences.

Media Fellows Scholarships are WMSF’s needs-based scholarship program, supporting as many as 70 students each year.  To learn more and apply, visit mediascholars.org/mediafellows/.

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