2025-2026 Scholarship Appeal
From Rob McCartney | November 2025
Forty years goes by in a flash. It's been my honor to serve as a journalist in Nebraska during that time. I’ve had the pleasure of covering so many important news stories at KETV and am humbled you’ve trusted me to bring you so many stories.
Many of you may also remember that I, along with my colleagues, used to “perform” (I use the term loosely in my case) at the Omaha Press Club Gridiron Show. That show raised critical funds for the OPC Foundation, which in turn provides scholarships for young journalists-in-training. It was a way for us to help preserve the future of the Fourth Estate.
For me and many of my colleagues, journalism is a ‘calling’ not a ‘career.’ Ever since I was a student journalist at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, I’ve known the power and importance of journalism. I wouldn’t have been able to succeed without the education I received at UNL.
I’ve made it a point throughout the years to never ask people for money. I don’t want them to think they’ve “bought” the media.
Today, because we live in a time when the media is constantly under attack, I AM asking. I want you to consider financially supporting the OPC Foundation as it helps develop future journalists and media professionals.
The OPC Foundation has supported journalism students in Nebraska for more than 50 years. Each year, the foundation awards more than 20 scholarships of $2,500 each. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the foundation awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships to students at Creighton University, the University of Nebraska Omaha, and the University of Nebraska Lincoln this year. Students from the University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) were awarded Jim Denney “Good News” Scholarships.
Your gift supports the next generation of students pursuing careers in radio, television, print, public relations, and new media. Please consider a gift for the 2025 annual campaign.
Forty years does go by in a flash. Just slightly longer than my request in this letter!
But, seriously, this is the time we have to step up and think of our future. I’d appreciate anything you can do.
Sincerely,
Rob McCartney
2025 Honorary Chair
Omaha Press Club Foundation
Many of you may also remember that I, along with my colleagues, used to “perform” (I use the term loosely in my case) at the Omaha Press Club Gridiron Show. That show raised critical funds for the OPC Foundation, which in turn provides scholarships for young journalists-in-training. It was a way for us to help preserve the future of the Fourth Estate.
For me and many of my colleagues, journalism is a ‘calling’ not a ‘career.’ Ever since I was a student journalist at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, I’ve known the power and importance of journalism. I wouldn’t have been able to succeed without the education I received at UNL.
I’ve made it a point throughout the years to never ask people for money. I don’t want them to think they’ve “bought” the media.
Today, because we live in a time when the media is constantly under attack, I AM asking. I want you to consider financially supporting the OPC Foundation as it helps develop future journalists and media professionals.
The OPC Foundation has supported journalism students in Nebraska for more than 50 years. Each year, the foundation awards more than 20 scholarships of $2,500 each. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the foundation awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships to students at Creighton University, the University of Nebraska Omaha, and the University of Nebraska Lincoln this year. Students from the University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) were awarded Jim Denney “Good News” Scholarships.
Your gift supports the next generation of students pursuing careers in radio, television, print, public relations, and new media. Please consider a gift for the 2025 annual campaign.
Forty years does go by in a flash. Just slightly longer than my request in this letter!
But, seriously, this is the time we have to step up and think of our future. I’d appreciate anything you can do.
Sincerely,
Rob McCartney
2025 Honorary Chair
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