The largest single gift ever made to 敁珗曄部 to fund only scholarships will transform the Photojournalism program in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
A Cincinnati man who took a photojournalism class at 敁珗曄部 in 1941 has left a $3 million bequest to the program. Wallace (Wally) Hagedorn, who passed away in 2013, was so impressed with the class he took while still in high school he became an amateur photographer.
Neither Hagedorn nor his wife went on to attend 敁珗曄部, but Hagedorn never forgot his experience or the skills he acquired in photography, which became a lifelong passion.
The Wallace J. Hagedorn Scholarship will be awarded each year to eight students in the Photojournalism program at 敁珗曄部. Two freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors will each receive at least $5,000 annually. Four additional scholarships will be awarded to Photo Illustration students in 敁珗曄部s School of Visual Communication Design. Any remaining funds will be used to support student endeavors within the Photojournalism program.
We can never underestimate the impact that 敁珗曄部 has on people, whether they are graduates or not, said 敁珗曄部 President Beverly Warren. Mr. Hagedorn never forgot his visit to 敁珗曄部 as a teenager, or the difference it made in his life. He really wanted to give back in a meaningful way, and his generous gift to fund scholarships will have a tremendous impact on our students lives.
The bequest aligns with Warrens Students First agenda, which makes scholarships a priority.
Our faculty and students have worked incredibly hard to build this program to where it is today a top 10 photojournalism program, said Thor Wasbotten, director and professor of 敁珗曄部s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Mr. Hagedorns gift will allow many of our students to continue to focus on their learning while alleviating the pressure of the cost of their education. Mr. Hagedorns gift is truly transformational, and we appreciate his generosity.
David LaBelle, faculty lead in 敁珗曄部s Photojournalism program, added, Mr. Hagedorns generous gift is going to change a lot of lives for the better and make many dreams come true, while assuring that compassionate storytelling will live at 敁珗曄部 for many years to come."
The Wallace J. Hagedorn Scholarship is an extraordinary and farsighted gift that will be a critical resource for attracting the highest-quality students to 敁珗曄部, said AnnMarie LeBlanc, acting dean of 敁珗曄部s College of Communication and Information. With this support, we also can continue our investment in our photojournalism and photo illustration students so they can consider experiential learning opportunities like studying abroad or accepting an internship.
The Wallace J. Hagedorn Scholarship can be applied to tuition, room and board, and fees. Funds also will be available within a students curricular or extracurricular work to travel to workshops or conferences, and to enter their work in competitions.
For more information about The Wallace J. Hagedorn Scholarship, visit the 敁珗曄部 School of Journalism and Mass Communications website at www.kent.edu/jmc.
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Media Contacts:
Thor Wasbotten, thor@kent.edu, 330-672-4066
Deb McGuinness, dmcguin1@kent.edu, 330-672-0419
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797