WASHINGTON, D.C. — PILOT, an innovation initiative of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), has announced this year’s recipients of its annual media technology and innovation scholarships. The awards, valued at $2,500 each, will be presented to four college students—two undergraduate and two graduate—for pursuit of studies related to broadcast or media technology and innovation. The scholarship program was launched in 2019 and is administered in partnership with the Broadcast Education Association (BEA).
This year’s winners (and the schools to which they plan to apply their scholarships) are as follows:
- Destney Johnson, Grambling State University
- Christi McGahan, Liberty University
- Sophie Theiss, Gulf Coast State College
- Julie Young, Loyola University of Chicago
Eligible academic areas for scholarship applicants include broadcast television or radio engineering and technology, broadcast content creation including sports and news production, web and online media, mobile media, media-related information technology (IT), multi-platform audience measurement and media technology research.
“NAB is excited to work once again with BEA in presenting these PILOT scholarships to worthy students as they pursue careers in broadcast and media technology,” said Sam Matheny, NAB’s executive vice president of Technology and chief technology officer. “Helping young people better understand our industry and its challenges will inspire fresh thinking to engage future opportunities.”
“BEA and PILOT’s partnership is dedicated to supporting the next generation of media innovators, and these scholarships will further our mission of fostering future leaders shaping broadcast radio and television,” said BEA Executive Director Heather Birks. “BEA is delighted to help these talented students who have excelled inside and outside the classroom.”