From its founding in 1946, Fort Worth SPJ has assisted young journalists in their pursuit of an education. The chapter administers three college scholarship programs through its Texas Gridiron Endowment Fund — the Gridiron (scholarships named in honor of Texas journalists, plus a general scholarship), the Lina Davis and the Jay Milner.
Judges evaluate ability, financial need and career potential. Scholarships generally range from $500 to $3,000, but judges reserve the right to adjust scholarship amounts, place applicants in appropriate categories, and to not give every named scholarship every year.
CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION
Scholarship Requirements: Applicants for all scholarships must:
- Be attending a college, university or junior college in preparation for a career in journalism;
- Be a Texas resident or attending a college in Texas;
- Take at least six academic hours each semester covered by the award plus the application semester; and
- Have at least a 2.25 grade point average at the time of application and for the duration of the award.
MATERIALS REQUIRED (if electronic, presented either as PDFs, Word documents or .docx files):
- Completed application form
- Transcripts for all college work completed
- Three samples of work published in 2024(for copy editors, before-and-after edited stories)
- A brief resume highlighting educational attainments, work and publishing experience, internships, awards and relevant extracurricular activities
- Two recommendation letters on letterhead from faculty members, publication advisers or a work supervisor at a professional news organization; and
- An essay (500 words maximum) on your reasons for pursuing a journalism career, the type of journalism you’re interested in, and how you are preparing for that career.
NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS
Donna Darovich $1,500
Recognizes excellence in writing across all sections — news, arts, lifestyle, people stories. As a Star-Telegram reporter, Donna Darovich won consecutive feature-writing first places in Associated Press Managing Editors competitions. Texas Press Women twice named her the state’s Most Outstanding Woman Journalist.
Jerry Flemmons $1,000
Jerry Flemmons excelled at features. This scholarship rewards outstanding feature writing.
Joe Holstead $1,000
Recognizes superior broadcast journalism. Texas Radio Hall of Fame member Joe Holstead was one of Fort Worth-Dallas’ most revered news personalities.
Staley and Beverly McBrayer $2,000
Recognizes excellence in college student media or as an intern with a professional news organization. This is considered Fort Worth SPJ’s Most Valuable Player award. Staley McBrayer marketed the offset press, which revolutionized the printing industry.
Al Panzera $1,000
Recognizes outstanding photojournalism. Star-Telegram photographer Al Panzera designed “Big Bertha,” a 4×5 Graflex telephoto camera customized for sports.
Jack B. Tinsley $1,500
Recognizes excellence in opinion writing such as columns and editorials. Jack Tinsley was Star-Telegram executive editor from 1975 to 1986 and led the paper to two Pulitzer Prizes.
LINA DAVIS SCHOLARSHIP $2,000
Honors the memory of longtime Arlington, Texas, educator and mentor Lina Davis, a progressive and nurturing journalism teacher at Sam Houston and Arlington high schools. Several Lina Davis Scholarships may be awarded each year.
Applicants for a Lina Davis Scholarship must also:
- Have attended an Arlington, Texas, high school (public or private) or be enrolled in UT Arlington, Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University or Tarrant County College;
- Have finished 60 credit hours with at least a 2.5 grade point average; and
- Demonstrate recent involvement with college student news media or as an intern or employee with a professional news organization.
JAY MILNER SCHOLARSHIP $1,000
This scholarship is intended for students with great financial need. It celebrates the contributions to journalism and journalism education of author/teacher Jay Milner, who is perhaps best known for his “Confessions of a Maddog: A Romp Through the High-Flying Texas Music and Literary Era of the Fifties to the Seventies.”