Advertising + Public Relations Scholarships

Undergraduate Student Scholarships

• The William J. Hopp Endowed Scholarship in Advertising
• Richard E. Augenstein Public Relations Scholarship
• E. Ross Gamble Scholarship
• George Katsarelas Endowed Memorial Scholarship
• Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance Scholarship
• Outstanding Senior Awards
• Schalon Scholars Fund
• Susan Brink Sherratt and Richard Sherratt Scholarship
• Stan Stein Scholarship

 

Graduate Student Scholarships

• Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship
• Janet L. Loria Scholarship
• Outstanding Master's/Doctoral Student Awards
• Bonnie B. Reece Graduate Scholarship

 

Undergraduate Student Scholarships
 

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The William J. Hopp Endowed Scholarship in Advertising:

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 recipient, Phoebe Tran!

Awarded to one highly motivated and career-oriented advertising major, this tuition/fee scholarship is made possible thanks to Mr. Tony Hopp, Michigan State University advertising alumnus and former chairman and CEO of Campbell Ewald. Mr. Hopp established this prestigious scholarship to honor his father, William J. Hopp, who encouraged him to pursue a career in advertising.

To apply during the annual application period, students complete the Undergraduate Scholarships Common Application and submit the following via email to cas.adprscholarships@msu.edu:

• Resume
• Insights and Analysis Essay
  • Identify the three (3) marketers who, in your opinion, have created and are currently airing/running a body of campaign work based on innovative integrated brand strategies that:
    • Enhance the user experience(s);
    • Deepen consumer engagement; and
    • Involve the full spectrum of marketing communications today, with multi-channel and integrated executions (i.e. television, print, digital, social, email, public relations, etc.).
  • Identify what you believe was the key marketing challenge(s) for each of the brands and why you believe each of the campaigns you have selected succeeded in meeting this key challenge.
• Industry Engagement Description
  • Provide a brief description of your internships, work experience, or other examples of your personal interest in integrated communications and the role they have played in your decision to pursue a career in advertising (250 words maximum).
• Passion Description
  • Provide 3-5 short examples that demonstrate your passion for and commitment to pursuing a career in advertising.
• Career Plans Description
  • Describe any coursework taken outside of advertising major requirements that has been meaningful in your pursuit of a career in marketing communications. And why was this coursework meaningful to you with regard to your career aspirations?
  • What are the three (3) most important criteria that will guide you in selecting a company to work for upon your graduation from Michigan State University?
  • (250 words maximum)

APPLICATION CRITERIA:

• Juniors or Seniors (by Fall 2025)
• Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• Demonstrate excellence in an AD+PR-related area

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Meets application criteria
• Quality and impact of application materials

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Richard E. Augenstein Public Relations Scholarship

Congratulations to 2024 recipient, Isabelle Kang!

The Richard E. Augenstein Public Relations Scholarship is named for Mr. Richard Augenstein who received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. A Lansing resident, he was associated with the Michigan Manufacturers Association, where he served as its vice president for government affairs.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Sophomores and above
• PR Major or Minor
• Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA
• PRSSA member (active participation preferred)
• Interest and intention to pursue a public relations career  
• Financial need will be considered

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E. Ross Gamble Scholarship

Congratulations to 2024 recipients: Sophie Abejean and Morgan Struss!

The E. Ross Gamble Memorial Scholarship is awarded to MSU advertising majors who demonstrate academic achievement and promise for success in the advertising profession.  

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Sophomores and above
• Advertising Major
• Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA/3.5 Major GPA  
• Financial need will be considered

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George Katsarelas Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to 2024 recipients: Morgan Brownell, Emily Cassetti, Cassidy Devergilio, Harmony Hall, and Sydney Stephens!

The George Katsarelas Endowed Memorial Scholarship is in memory of Mr. George Katsarelas, MSU alumnus and former executive creative director at Leo Burnett Detroit, Inc. Katsarelas was revered for his ability to lead, mentor and help his colleagues achieve greatness. This scholarship is awarded to a high-achieving advertising student pursuing a career in advertising.  

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Juniors or Seniors
• Advertising Major  
• Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA  
• Participation in extracurricular activities
• Demonstrated excellence and achievement in an AD+PR-related area
• Financial need may be considered

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Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance Scholarship

Congratulations to 2024 recipients: Jamie Arvidson, Emmagrace Banks, and Julia Ceme-Prefontaine!

The Mid-Michigan Creative Alliance Scholarship is awarded to an MSU junior or senior majoring in advertising creative. Selection is based on academic achievement and promise for success in the advertising profession. 

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Juniors or Seniors
• Advertising Creative Major
• Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA  
• Participation in extracurricular activities
• Demonstrated excellence and achievement in an AD+PR-related area
• Financial need will be considered

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Outstanding Senior Award

Congratulations to 2024 recipients: Abbey Lieffers (Outstanding Senior in Advertising Creative), Ellie Harner (Outstanding Senior in Advertising Management), and Morgan Vandenberg (Outstanding Senior in Public Relations)!

Each year, the Department of Advertising + Public Relations awards three graduating seniors an Outstanding Senior Award (for Advertising Management, Advertising Creative and Public Relations).

MSU faculty can nominate a student for the Outstanding Senior Award:

Outstanding Senior Award Nomination Form

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Based on faculty nominations

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Schalon Scholars Fund

Congratulations to 2024 recipients: Claire Henry, Camri Iddins, Alyssa Luke, and Kennedy Singleton!

The Schalon Scholars Fund provides tuition support or support for internship experiences. This scholarship is named in honor of the Schalon family, which includes Ms. Marcella Schalon and her daughter, Suz, an MSU advertising alumna. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to nonprofit volunteerism and service after graduation.  

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Juniors and Seniors
• Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA  
• Demonstrated commitment to nonprofit organization volunteerism
• Commitment to service after graduating

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Susan Brink Sherratt and Richard Sherratt Scholarship

Congratulations to 2024 recipients: Reese Hurd, Kaitlyn Keller, and Yashika Ramchandani!

The Susan Brink Sherratt and Richard Sherratt Scholarship is named in honor of Ms. Susan Brink Sherratt, a proud third-generation Spartan who struggled finding a major until a friend recommended advertising. She thrived in the major and followed with a career in advertising.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Advertising Major
• Participation in extracurricular activities
• Demonstrated excellence and achievement in an AD+PR-related area  
• Financial need will be considered

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Stan Stein Scholarship

Congratulations to 2024 recipients: Logan Chrisinske, Brandi Stover, and Brooke Swanson!

The Stan Stein Scholarship was established by alumnus Mr. Stan Stein and his employer, Weber Shandwick Worldwide, to help support deserving students as they prepare for a career in the public relations industry. Stein says he believes his comprehensive education at MSU and the College of Communication Arts and Sciences prepared him for his successful career. He wants to encourage graduates to give back appropriately to MSU, and remain connected to our great university.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Sophomores and above
• PR Major or Minor
• Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA  
• Professional goals in public relations  
• Financial need will be considered

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Graduate Student Scholarships
 

Apply for Graduate Student Scholarships

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Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship

Congratulations to 2024 Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship recipient: Baboki Gaolaowe-Major and 2024 Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship for Productivity recipient: Qi Zheng!

Each year, the Department of Advertising + Public Relations awards an Advertising + Public Relations MA Graduate Fellowship.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Based on faculty nominations

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Janet L. Loria Scholarship

Congratulations to 2024 recipients: Taewoo Kang, Subhalakshmi Bezbaruah, Moldir Moldagaliyeva, and Leigh Anne Tiffany!

Ms. Janet Loria served as a graduate secretary at MSU for many years, and was a friend and mentor to countless students. To honor her legacy, her family established an endowment to provide scholarships to students who have high academic achievement, have formulated career goals, and who volunteer to help others have a better life.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Financial need will be considered

CONSIDERATION CRITERIA:

• Minimum 3.5 Cumulative GPA
• Potential in making a positive change in the academic or professional field, especially with the focus on improving the state of diversity, equity and inclusion in the advertising and public relations industries

For Doctoral Students:  

• High-quality research presented at renowned academic conferences and published in high-rank academic journals
• Outstanding teaching record

For Master’s Students:

• Professional excellence and experience, including engagement with student professional organizations, interest and intention to pursue an advertising/public relations career

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Outstanding Master's/Doctoral Student Award

Each year, the Department of Advertising + Public Relations awards Outstanding Master’s Student Awards and Outstanding Ph.D. Student Awards.  

MSU faculty can nominate students for the Outstanding Master's and Ph.D. Student Awards:

Outstanding Master's Student Award Nomination Form

Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award Nomination Form

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Based on faculty nominations

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Bonnie B. Reece Graduate Scholarship

Congratulations to 2024 recipients: Ava Francesca Battocchio, Barikisu Issaka, Heijin Lee, Julia Terhune, Leigh Ann Tiffany, Qi Zheng, and Nan Zhang!

Dr. Bonnie B. Reece is a former chairperson of the Department of Advertising + Public Relations and long-time faculty member who is devoted to high-quality graduate education. She wished to make life easier for one or two students each year by establishing this scholarship.  

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Domestic student
• Demonstrated leadership
• Minimum 3.5 Cumulative GPA
• Financial need will be considered
• Potential in making a positive change in the academic or professional field, especially with the focus on improving the state of diversity, equity and inclusion in the advertising and public relations industries

For Doctoral Students:  

• High-quality research presented at renowned academic conferences and published in high-rank academic journals
• Outstanding teaching record

For Master’s Students:

• Professional excellence and experience, including engagement with student professional organizations, interest and intention to pursue an advertising/public relations career

ComArtSci Scholarships
Mary Louise Gephart Donnell Fellowship

Scholarship recipients will be notified upon selection, and will be required to check with the Office of Financial Aid to determine any financial aid impacts and provide a donor thank-you letter to confirm acceptance. Recipients will also be invited to attend the annual AD+PR Virtual Awards and Scholarships Recognition Event, to be held in April 2025. Event details will be forthcoming. 

Please email cas.adprscholarships@msu.edu with any questions or for assistance.