SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Kaitlyn Fry, an Evangel University junior, has been awarded the annual Dr. Joe McAdoo Memorial Scholarship for the 2015-2016 academic year.
The Southwest Missouri chapter of the Public Relations Society of America sponsors the McAdoo scholarship in honor of the late communication educator.
Fry was publically recognized on Sept. 24 at the organization’s annual professional development seminar in Springfield.
Students from six area colleges are eligible to apply for the $1,500 scholarship, which also allows the recipient to attend monthly SWMO PRSA meetings and the yearly professional developmental seminar free of charge.
Fry will use the scholarship for her tuition and is enjoying networking with other professionals in the field.
“I feel extremely blessed to have received this award. It is an honor to represent Evangel in the public relations community,” Fry said.
Fry, an advertising and public relations major, comes to Springfield from South Bend, Ind.
While at Evangel she has been active in student media. She currently serves as editor-in-chief for The Lance, Evangel’s campus newspaper. She has previously served as the assistant news editor on The Lance and as the advertising and promotions director for KECC Radio.
“I am pleased that an Evangel student was selected to receive the McAdoo scholarship for the second time in three years,” said Melinda Booze, assistant professor in the Department of Communication, faculty adviser for The Lance and active member of the SWMO PRSA chapter.
“In addition to the financial benefit, Kaitie can attend the monthly PRSA luncheons and meet PR leaders in a wide variety of professional fields,” said Booze. “These individuals are potential mentors and employers for college students like Kaitie who are seeking excellence in the practice of public relations.”
The SWMO PRSA considers involvement in communications, academic standing, and campus and community involvement when choosing the recipient of the scholarship.
Applicants were required to begin the 2015-2016 academic year as a junior, senior or graduate student pursuing a degree in communication, public relations or a closely related area.
About Joe McAdoo
Dr. Joe McAdoo taught communication courses at Drury University for nearly thirty years before retiring in 1996.
He wrote for the Springfield Business Journal, authoring over 1,700 articles. He also appeared on Ozarks Public Television Tele-Auctions as the Firehouse Quickie Guy. In 1996, McAdoo published a book titled McAdoo About Nothing.
McAdoo passed away in 2008.
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PHOTO BY: Paul K. Logsdon