Texas Tech University

CoMC Scholarship Ceremony & Luncheon 2019

April 18, 2019

On April 12, a large group of grateful scholarship recipients and generous donors crossed paths at the annual Scholarship Ceremony & Luncheon hosted by the College of Media & Communication at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center.

“This luncheon is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Todd Chambers, Ph.D., associate dean for undergraduate affairs for CoMC. “This year was pretty special. I loved watching our students interact with Mrs. Avis Ross, Mr. Choc Hutcheson and so many other special folks.”

For the 2018-19 year, more than 235 scholarships worth over $407,000 were awarded to 150 undergraduate and graduate students in the college.

Mr. Choc Hutcheson, a generous donor and long-time friend of the College at the 2019 Scholarship Ceremony & Luncheon
Mr. Choc Hutcheson, a generous donor and long-time friend of the college, at the 2019 Scholarship Ceremony & Luncheon

Two faculty were also recognized for outstanding achievements this academic year. Asheley Landrum, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Advertising, received the Billy I. Ross Mass Communications Faculty Achievement Award, while Jody Roginson, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Public Relations, received the L.U. Kaiser Teaching Innovation Award.

According to Dusty Bedwell, director of development for CoMC, the annual luncheon is an important part of the school year.

"This event gives the college the ability to bring scholarship recipients and donors together," he said. "This is pivotal because it allows donors to hear the students' stories of how their gift has impacted the student's college career."

Lindsey Resignato, a senior communication studies major from El Paso and scholarship recipient, provided a powerful keynote speech which outlined the critical role that scholarships can play for some students.

CoMC students and scholarship recipients at the 2019 Scholarship Ceremony & LuncheonCoMC students and scholarship recipients at the 2019 Scholarship Ceremony & Luncheon

Resignato's family has been impacted by significant hardships, and the path has not been easy.

However, she said she was determined to go to college, and through diligent hard work and application, and through the generosity of donors to the college, Resignato was awarded enough scholarship money to allow her to live and study on campus.

"My school has been paid for by grants and scholarships," she said. "The scholarship money I received from the donors in attendance today has helped me stay alive."

"The scholarship money I received from the donors in attendance today has helped me stay alive."

Resignato's experience underscores the vital role that financial scholarships play for students to attend Texas Tech, and even more importantly, to retain those students so they can complete their degrees.

“I don't know how I would continue my education if I still had the burden of those worries slowly eating away at me,” Resignato said. “I wouldn't have the opportunities to be involved and to meet so many great friends and faculty without these scholarships, the donors and Dean Perlmutter.”

Bedwell concurs. “Many of our students would not be where they are today if it weren't for the aid of our loyal donors,” he said.

If you would like to learn how you can impact the students of the College of Media & Communication, please visit comc.ttu.edu/give

 

(Above) The 2019 CoMC Scholarship Ceremony & Luncheon keynote address was given by Lindsey Resignato, a senior communication studies major and scholarship recipient from El Paso. 

 

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