FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2004

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 or (515) 202-1773, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

DRAKE SENIOR SELECTED IN TOP TEN SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

Drake University senior Elizabeth Owens is one of 10 college journalism students from across the United States to be awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Scripps Howard Foundation through its Top Ten Scholarship competition.

Owens, a News-Internet major from Palo, Iowa, aspires to "a front row seat at the White House as one of the nation's top political reporters." She was editor of the student newspaper, The Times-Delphic, and is a correspondent for The Des Moines Register.

Accredited journalism programs may nominate one journalism student for the award. From the pool of nominees, ten top students are selected for $10,000 scholarships each. The scholarship is a one-time award covering a full academic year.

"Journalism education is essential to the foundation's mission," said Judith G. Clabes, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Foundation. "Each year we seek out the most talented and promising undergraduate journalism students in the nation to support them in their efforts to become contributing career journalists."

Top Ten scholars are selected based on academic achievement and a demonstrated interest in journalism as a career. They are required to submit personal essays on long-term goals and a portfolio of work and recommendations. An independent panel of professionals judges the entries.

The Top Ten Scholarships are offered annually to full-time students entering their junior or senior year in any journalism sequence.

Dedicated to excellence in journalism, the Scripps Howard Foundation is a leader in industry efforts in journalism education, scholarships, internships, literacy, minority recruitment/development, mid-career training and First Amendment causes.