2021-2022 Scholarship Appeal
From the desk of Randy Essex -- November 2021
The business of journalism has changed dramatically since the days of pens and reporter’s notebooks, landlines, teletype machines, and black and white film. Today, news gathering and production requires digital equipment and internet connectivity to deliver content instantly.
Despite these electronic “instant delivery” methods, the business of journalism still requires excellent storytellers. Storytellers who know how to ask questions, understand the context of the situation and write factual, compelling stories that provide their audience with the information to make decisions or take action. The constantly changing and challenging media landscape means these aspiring storytellers need help to continue their educations and the encouragement to stay in the profession.
When I enrolled in college as a freshman, my hard-working father filled out all the financial aid forms for me to attend. He was “tickled pink” that I got enough scholarships, grants and loans to be the first in the family to be a college student. It was a big, big deal.
For more than 60 years, the Omaha Press Club Foundation has been providing scholarships to help future storytellers learn their craft. For more than 60 years, these scholarship recipients have gone on to media careers not only in Omaha, but nationally. During my tenure at the Omaha World-Herald, I’ve had the honor to work with several OPC Foundation scholarship recipients.
In September, the OPC Foundation awarded 19 scholarships and fellowships totaling $45,500 to students at Creighton University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and my alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As the honorary chair of the Omaha Press Club Foundation’s annual appeal, I am asking for your support of these annual scholarships. Your contribution will make a sizable impact for these future storytellers and the future of journalism.
Randy Essex, 2021 Honorary Campaign Chair
Executive Editor, Omaha World-Herald
The business of journalism has changed dramatically since the days of pens and reporter’s notebooks, landlines, teletype machines, and black and white film. Today, news gathering and production requires digital equipment and internet connectivity to deliver content instantly.
Despite these electronic “instant delivery” methods, the business of journalism still requires excellent storytellers. Storytellers who know how to ask questions, understand the context of the situation and write factual, compelling stories that provide their audience with the information to make decisions or take action. The constantly changing and challenging media landscape means these aspiring storytellers need help to continue their educations and the encouragement to stay in the profession.
When I enrolled in college as a freshman, my hard-working father filled out all the financial aid forms for me to attend. He was “tickled pink” that I got enough scholarships, grants and loans to be the first in the family to be a college student. It was a big, big deal.
For more than 60 years, the Omaha Press Club Foundation has been providing scholarships to help future storytellers learn their craft. For more than 60 years, these scholarship recipients have gone on to media careers not only in Omaha, but nationally. During my tenure at the Omaha World-Herald, I’ve had the honor to work with several OPC Foundation scholarship recipients.
In September, the OPC Foundation awarded 19 scholarships and fellowships totaling $45,500 to students at Creighton University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, and my alma mater, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As the honorary chair of the Omaha Press Club Foundation’s annual appeal, I am asking for your support of these annual scholarships. Your contribution will make a sizable impact for these future storytellers and the future of journalism.
Randy Essex, 2021 Honorary Campaign Chair
Executive Editor, Omaha World-Herald
On behalf of the more than 400 past scholarship recipients, we ask you to consider a contribution to our 2021-2022 fundraising campaign. Donations can be made online or by check.
Thank you for your continued support of the Omaha Press Club Foundation and our fundraising efforts for college students.
Thank you for your continued support of the Omaha Press Club Foundation and our fundraising efforts for college students.
Checks made payable to the Omaha Press Club Foundation can be mailed to:
Omaha Press Club Foundation
P.O. Box 4842
Omaha, Nebraska 68104
Omaha Press Club Foundation
P.O. Box 4842
Omaha, Nebraska 68104
