West Virginia University P.I. Reed School of Journalism alumnus Ray Gillette (BSJ, 1971) and his wife Susan were the first in their family to go to college. The experience changed their lives and motivated them to help future generations.
“We realize that our parents worked hard to help put us through school,” said Gillette. “Today it is even harder to send a child to college. This is especially true for minority students. My wife and I have been successful in life, and we feel fortunate to be able to give this scholarship.”
The Raymond and Susan Gillette Minority Scholarship is one of four endowed scholarships established for journalism students during the past year. Others include The Arnold Agency Scholarship, the Col. Thomas J. Boyd Scholarship, and the William and Jean Reed Scholarship.
Ray Gillette is a retired advertising executive and a member of the WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni. He currently teaches in the School’s online master’s program in Integrated Marketing Communications. Most notably, Gillette served as president of DDB Chicago, a worldwide advertising agency, and later as president of the independent advertising agency Downtown Partners Chicago. Gillette and his wife Susan established the Raymond and Susan Gillette Minority Scholarship, which was awarded this fall.
Linda Arnold (BSJ, 1976), chairman and CEO of The Arnold Agency, wanted to share her passion for public relations and advertising with future Mountaineers. She and her colleagues, Steve Morrison (BSJ, 1973) and Mark Polen (MPA, 1981; BA, 1980), established The Arnold Agency Scholarship.
“The P.I. Reed School of Journalism provided a strong foundation for our careers,” said Arnold. “We’re glad to help create a foundation for other students.”
The Arnold Agency is an integrated communications firm, specializing in public relations, advertising, government relations and interactive marketing. Headquartered in Charleston, W.Va., the agency has been helping clients across the country with its unique approach to communications for more than 22 years. The Arnold Agency Scholarship will be awarded for the first time in fall 2012.
After more than three decades in military communications, Colonel Thomas J. Boyd (BSJ, 1971) believed a scholarship gift would help to support journalism students in their career endeavors. During his career in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, Boyd had extensive experience dealing with U.S. and international news media, directing crisis communications, strategic communication planning, media training and public affairs. Boyd’s scholarship will be awarded for the first time in fall 2012.
Dean Maryanne Reed joined the School of Journalism as a faculty member in 1993. Before being named Dean in 2004, she chaired the School’s broadcast news program. Reed established the William and Jean Reed Scholarship in honor of her parents.
“Establishing the William and Jean Reed Scholarship is a way to honor my late parents, who gave me strong values, a loving home and self-confidence,” said Reed. “In turn, it’s a joy to share my success with the next generation, helping our students build a strong foundation for their future.”
Reed’s scholarship was awarded this fall.
Those interested in establishing a student scholarship at the School of Journalism may contact Director of Development Luella Gunter at luella.gunter@mail.wvu.edu or visit the School’s Website www.journalism.wvu.edu.
-WVU-
cv 10/06/11
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CONTACT: Kimberly Walker, School of Journalism
304-293-5726