Ohio University Student Wins First OAB Scholarship
Contact: Anne Keyser, External & Alumni Relations Coordinator, College of Communication, (740) 593-0030 or keysera@ohio.edu
Editors: A photo of Rebecca Chauncey is available at:
www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/CHAUNCEY_REBECCA.JPG
ATHENS, Ohio (November 13, 2000) -- Rebecca Chauncey of Chicago is only a sophomore in the School of Telecommunications at Ohio University, but already she recognizes her ability and power to change minority portrayals in the media. The Ohio Association of Broadcasters (OAB) recognizes it too, this month awarding her its first-ever $5,000 scholarship. OAB, which represents 100 percent of Ohio TV stations and 90 percent of Ohio radio stations, selected Ohio University for its first scholarship because of the university's academic reputation.
"Ohio University was selected because it is the top school in Ohio educating students in broadcasting. Ohio University also works more closely with the OAB than any other school in Ohio, ensuring that its students get not only the best education, but also the best practical education that they can use to benefit employers immediately," said Dale Bring, executive director of the OAB.
The award was created to encourage more minority students to become broadcasters, Bring said. "Diversity is an issue in all segments of business. This scholarship is one small way of creating more opportunities in broadcasting. And Rebecca was the perfect choice for it." Chauncey was selected by faculty for her strong grade point average and broadcasting focus. Chauncey is serious about her education because it is helping her reach a long-time goal: "to change the lives of people of color, children and the homeless."
"As early as junior high, I started looking deeply into TV," said Chauncey, who attended Chicago's Seton Academy High School. "I saw the negative portrayals of the homeless and of blacks and Hispanics in Chicago. As a producer, I will have more say-so and be able to depict people in a better light and tell their success stories."
Hoping to have that say-so at a Spanish-speaking news station, Chauncey will sharpen her language skills in a study abroad program in Merida, Mexico, January through March. When she returns to Athens, she will re-immerse herself in her busy schedule of involvement with the Black Student Communication Caucus, the Student Senate, Phi Alpha Delta Inc. and WOUB radio, where she volunteers as a radio announcer and board controller.
