UCM PR program receives scholarship endowment
WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 26, 2018) – The University of Central Missouri public
relations program received a $25,000 scholarship endowment from PR program alumni 
Larry Schnieders and Kali (Ball) Schnieders (1973). The inaugural Larry and Kali Schnieders Endowed Scholarship in Public Relations will be awarded in the 2018-19 academic year.
The Larry and Kali Schnieders Endowed Scholarship in Public Relations scholarship is the first in UCM history endowed by alumni exclusively for public relations majors. In addition, it’s the largest scholarship opportunity annually available to UCM public relations students.
“For us, it’s a tangible expression of gratitude for the institution that had an immeasurable impact on our personal and professional lives,” Larry Schnieders said. “We treasured the time spent at the University of Central Missouri where we first met in an Intro to Public Relations class. It’s our hope that this scholarship will help recipients have a similar positive college experience and go on to achieve beyond their greatest expectations. Additionally, we’d love to see this commitment spur fellow alumni to support UCM’s public relations program and make a difference in the lives of others.”
“Receiving a scholarship of this amount is such an honor, and a relief, when you are an undergraduate student,” said Blake Hedberg, a 2017 UCM PR graduate. “While this one was not available when I was an undergraduate, I did apply for and receive a similar sized scholarship that transferred here. It made me feel honored and really helped me reach the graduation finish line. Knowing that I could receive a scholarship from UCM PR alumni who got as much out of the program as I was getting. That would be terrific.”
“Alumni-funded scholarships, like this one, are a next step in the excellent public relations education we work hard to provide to our students,” said Tricia Hansen-Horn, public relations coordinator. “We have a terrific alumni network that is committed to supporting the long-term successes of our students. We are so grateful to them. Our alumni are so supportive that the number of PR-specific scholarships has increased four-fold in three years.”
The scholarship is available through the UCM Foundation for an undergraduate junior or senior student pursuing a degree in public relations. The preferred candidate will be from Metro Kansas City (counties of Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte, Ray in Missouri and Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte in Kansas). Applicants must have a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and demonstrate character, strong work ethic, leadership and achievement through high academic performance and involvement in extracurricular activities especially related to public relations. Preference will be given to students who meet both criteria; however, the selection committee may nominate a candidate who meets the GPA requirement if no candidate meets both. March 1 is the application deadline through UCM’s MoCents system.
The scholarship supports students in their long-term Learning to a Greater Degree goals.
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The UCM public relations program is nationally certified by Public Relations Society of America. The program is housed in UCM’s Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies. It is only one of two nationally certified programs housed in a school of business – uniquely positioning it as a business discipline.
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University of Central Missouri PR Program 