Baylor Journalism Student Receives Scholarship: Hopes to Give Voice to the Ignored and Oppressed

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WACO, Texas (April 26, 2018) — Dallas senior Corrie Coleman has been selected to receive the 2018 journalism scholarship from the Bess Whitehead Scott Scholarship Fund. Coleman will receive $2,000 toward her degree in journalism, which includes studies in writing, photography and videography.

“I’m always so pleased when a Baylor student is selected as a recipient of the Bess Whitehead Scott Scholarship. Bess, who died at the age of 101, was a Baylor journalism grad and a longtime journalist in Texas,” said Sara Stone, Ph.D., chair of the department of journalism, public relations & new media. “Corrie embodies many of the fine qualities that marked Bess’ long career. Corrie is a stellar student, as evidenced by her 3.94 GPA. She is a highly accomplished writer and photographer. The scholarship is highly competitive, and the scholarship committee could not have selected a better recipient.”

For almost three decades, Bess W. Scott scholarships have supported student journalists. Since 1990, the Fund has distributed more than $70,000 to up-and-coming reporters, writers and authors. The fund’s namesake, the late Scott, is known for blazing a trail for women in journalism by writing hard news. In 1915, she persuaded a reluctant editor to hire her as the first woman news reporter at The Houston Post. Later she worked on screenplays and in public relations.

"It's such an honor to receive a scholarship in the name of Bess Whitehead Scott. Her passion for writing and pursuit of truth inspires me as a woman, a student and a journalist,” Coleman said. “In the future, I plan on using my journalism skills to work for a nonprofit. I hope to use photography and journalism to give a voice to the ignored and oppressed."

At age 99, Scott published her autobiography, You Meet Such Interesting People. The Bess W. Scott Fund is affiliated with the Austin Community Foundation. For more information, see www.BWSfund.org

by Joy Moton , student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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