2022-2023 Scholarship Appeal
From the desk of John Ewing and Dr. Viv Ewing | November 1, 2022
You are invited to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Rudy Smith by helping to establish a scholarship fund in his honor. As honorary chairs of this year’s fundraising campaign, we ask you to consider a meaningful contribution to the Omaha Press Club Foundation. Donate online today. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $10,000 by December 1, 2022.
When Rudolph “Rudy” Smith Sr. joined the Omaha World-Herald in 1964, he became the first African American to work in the paper’s news department. His award-winning photography appeared in the newspaper and other national publications for more than half a century.
He also became the first African American faculty member in the University of Nebraska Department of Communications, where he received his journalism degree.
During his college years, Smith was active in the struggle for civil rights in Omaha, helping establish UNO’s Department of Black Studies and pushing legislation removing discriminatory housing practices near campus.
Smith died in 2019 at age 74. Through the Omaha Press Club Foundation and your generous gift, Smith’s legacy will live on. Through the support of Smith’s family and so many in our community, the Rudy Smith Scholarship will be awarded annually by the Omaha Press Club Foundation, beginning in 2023. The foundation will award the scholarship to a college student pursuing a career in journalism, with preference given to a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) student.
As the charitable arm of the Omaha Press Club, the Omaha Press Club Foundation awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each year to the top journalism and communications students at UNO, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Creighton. It has been the foundation’s proudest, most impactful work for more than 60 years.
Help us continue the Rudy Smith legacy for years to come.
Sincerely,
John Ewing and Dr. Viv Ewing
2022 Honorary Chairs
Omaha Press Club Foundation
You are invited to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Rudy Smith by helping to establish a scholarship fund in his honor. As honorary chairs of this year’s fundraising campaign, we ask you to consider a meaningful contribution to the Omaha Press Club Foundation. Donate online today. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $10,000 by December 1, 2022.
When Rudolph “Rudy” Smith Sr. joined the Omaha World-Herald in 1964, he became the first African American to work in the paper’s news department. His award-winning photography appeared in the newspaper and other national publications for more than half a century.
He also became the first African American faculty member in the University of Nebraska Department of Communications, where he received his journalism degree.
During his college years, Smith was active in the struggle for civil rights in Omaha, helping establish UNO’s Department of Black Studies and pushing legislation removing discriminatory housing practices near campus.
Smith died in 2019 at age 74. Through the Omaha Press Club Foundation and your generous gift, Smith’s legacy will live on. Through the support of Smith’s family and so many in our community, the Rudy Smith Scholarship will be awarded annually by the Omaha Press Club Foundation, beginning in 2023. The foundation will award the scholarship to a college student pursuing a career in journalism, with preference given to a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) student.
As the charitable arm of the Omaha Press Club, the Omaha Press Club Foundation awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each year to the top journalism and communications students at UNO, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Creighton. It has been the foundation’s proudest, most impactful work for more than 60 years.
Help us continue the Rudy Smith legacy for years to come.
Sincerely,
John Ewing and Dr. Viv Ewing
2022 Honorary Chairs
Omaha Press Club Foundation
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