I am writing to recommend Jennifer Coombes as a recipient for a NPPF Scholarship. It is my pleasure to recommend Jennifer for the opportunity.
I have gotten to know Jennifer as she studies visual communication management in the graduate program of Ohio University’s School of Visual Communication. During her time in this intense program, Jennifer has shown that she is getting the most out of this time of being a student, taking the multi-tasking in stride and maintaining a pleasant demeanor. In conversations about her work, she consistently looks to take risks and push her work to the next level, studying and getting involved in the school in ways that push her studies and the field. This Fall, I had the opportunity to work with Jennifer as she took her storytelling skills to the next level in audio and video, working in a style new to her and with new skills. Her work was a leader amongst her peers. This Spring, Jennifer is not only moving forward with that knowledge, but also taking leadership in a large collaborative school project, Soul of Athens. This is no easy task, and is quite time consuming beyond her course obligations, but she is taking it in stride.
Jennifer also balances this coursework and leadership with a job as the manager of our computer labs and gallery, helping to not only maintain them but supervise other employees. This is a good deal of responsibility we put into her hands.
I have no doubt that Jennifer will make the most out of this scholarship, which will assist not only with her ability to complete her work and projects, but also take off some of the financial burden of school
Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Sell
28 February 2016
The Selection Committee
The National Press Photographers Foundation Scholarships
Dear Selection Committee Members:
I am dean of academic affairs and concurrently director of the investigative reporting program at the Columbia Journalism School. I have taught talented students at the School for nearly 10 years. Many of them are exceptional, but few are exceptional in the way that Cassandra Giraldo is. She is a gifted photographer – and she is legally blind. Cassie finds this situation ironic and humorous but not an impediment to what she hopes to accomplish.
Cassie is a freelance photojournalist who has covered the usual news assignments. But she also has a feature photographer’s eye: She is in her element in many settings, whether it’s photographing the Rockaways in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy or telling the story of what she calls “the gentle punks” of Russia.
Cassie brings sensitivity and a deep intelligence to her work. She is enrolled in the investigative reporting program because she wants to learn the tools for digging deeper and for going beyond the surface of events. She already has the ability to get access to difficult subjects and get them to agree to tell their stories through her images. What she wants to learn in my program are tools for research and reporting, empirical investigative tools that she can use to bring more depth and rigor to her journalistic work.
Cassie has been an outstanding student in the investigative reporting program. She is disciplined and hard working. I can see her soaking in the new things she is learning and eagerly putting them into practice. She also asks skeptical questions and brings to the class not just a photojournalist’s unique perspective but also that of a multicultural, young woman who cares deeply about social justice and believes her life’s mission is to tell the stories of those who live on society’s margins.
Cassie has a natural empathy for people. It’s her strength as a photographer and as a journalist. Now she is learning powerful tools for finding information. It’s a great combination. I am certain that Cassie will tell even important stories in the future. She’s already working on one now for her master’s project on New York City public schools.
We are very enthusiastic about Cassie at the Journalism School. I hope you share our enthusiasm for her and her work.
Sincerely,
Sheila S. Coronel
Collette is very curious and very creative. Her curiosity is reflected in the activities she’s taken up outside of school. She is currently interning for Ship In the Woods, which is San Diego County’s most dynamic arts collective. They are a top tier group largely composed of MFA graduates from UCSD’s legendary art department. Collette discovered the group independently and developed her own internship with them. As an intern she is producing, shooting and cutting videos about the collective. She also volunteers for California Against Slavery, a grass roots organization that campaigns against human trafficking. Collette’s work with this organization is rooted in her deep personal convictions, which are remarkably developed for such a young person.
Collette’s most striking characteristic is her leadership skill. She has a very steady, reassuring approach to her peers, who respond strongly to her. Though very young, she’s worked as a retail store manager for several years, where she leads a team. In my experience, it’s very rare to find such a young person who is so comfortable and successful in leadership positions.
February 28, 2016
Re: Jane Cowan scholarship applicant
Dear selection committee,
I have read bazillions of recommendation letters over the years. To me, they often sound the same. I am trying to make this one stand out. If I had money, I would give it to Jane Cowan to support her education. I would do it because she is one of the most deserving students I know. And because I would want her future success to shine, at least a little, back on me.
Therefore, I am both honored and happy to recommend Jane Cowan without any reservations for a NPPAF scholarship. Jane is an exceptionally talented graduate student who is dedicated to her studies.
More specifically, Jane ranks in the top 10 percent of students I have seen in this program over the past 15 years. And that is saying something because over the last 12 years, eight of the College Photographer of the Year winners and two runners-up have been from our program. I rank Jane in that talented group.
Beyond her photographic ability, I also find that Jane is a very dedicated student. I have had her as a student in two of my courses so far, and she has been exceptional. She works hard, contributes to the class discussion, helps her classmates, and is a model student. Yet, financial concerns are limiting her learning experience. While she does receive a stipend, it is not enough to cover the high cost of education, particularly in this field. A scholarship from NPPAF would go a long way to helping her get the most out of her graduate experience.
So, just to be clear, I recommend her. If I had money, I would bet it on her.
Sincerely,
Stan Alost
Associate Professor School of Visual Communication
alost@ohio.edu
To the NPPF Scholarship Committee:
I am writing to you in enthusiastic support of John Knight for the Rich Clarkson Scholarship. I’ve come to know John over the past two years in my role as Floor Manager and Instructor at The Comedy Parlor, a theater in Tulsa, OK. First through improvisation class work, and later when I instructed him in sketch writing and production, I was exposed to John’s ability and work ethic, which are exemplary and enviable. John was able to grasp the subject matter being conveyed and create engaging work with relative ease. His sketches were among the best in the class, fun and intelligent. His diligence with creating the best work possible was fantastic; creating a video that was a highlight of the show in an incredibly short timetable.
Perhaps more illustrative of John’s value is his ability to lead. John has created, out of whole cloth, two shows for the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, both of which were very well received. I was able to view his leadership qualities up close in his creation of a show at The Comedy Parlor. With little guidance from myself or other staff at the Parlor, John was able to motivate and direct his fellow performers and writers into the formation of an excellent show. While standards were high, his enthusiasm for the project and his empathy for cast mates helped to keep the endeavor exciting and enjoyable. He can listen well to many viewpoints, but does not hesitate to make a firm decision. I look forward to working with him again.
In short, John Knight would be an excellent choice to receive the Rich Clarkson Scholarship, and would, with your help, use skills he has already developed to be a great student and leader in whatever field he chooses. Please do not hesitate to contact me at the below phone or email address for more information.
Sincerely,
Jeff Brown
Instructor, Comedy Parlor
thejeffLbrown@gmail.com
(918)906-2599
National Press Photographers Foundation
Letter of Recommendation: Sophia Nahli Allison
February 29, 2016
As a member of the admissions committee in the School of Media and Journalism at the University of North Carolina, I fought harder for the acceptance and funding of Sophia Nahli Allison than for any other student during my tenure at UNC. Not only did she have the highest of recommendations from Steve Liss, an icon in our industry, but she also brought talent, skill and diversity to our program. She’s been at Chapel Hill for nearly a year, and she has excelled.
I write today to strongly recommend Sophia for the National Press Photographers Foundation student scholarships.
Sophia displays a drive, discipline and work ethic with a humble and engaged attitude. As a visual journalist and youth educator, Sophia’s work reflects that of a humanitarian, community journalist, and mentor. Her desire is to create a platform for stories often not seen to be made visible, and she stays true to that mission. Sophia’s compassion and commitment to social justice have been invaluable assets to her work as a visual journalist.
As a first year graduate student at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill we are proud of the accomplishments and work Sophia has produced. Submitting photography produced during her first semester at UNC, Sophia became the student recipient of the inaugural ViewFind visual storytelling grant. This spring she will be a participant of The New York Times Student Journalism Institute as a video journalist, as well as the summer intern at The Seattle Times. Last year Sophia was a participant of the Eddie Adams Workshop and the summer intern at The Tampa Bay Times.
Before attending UNC, Sophia was a youth educator in Chicago and Los Angeles. Using photography and video she created courses for high school students with a focus on social justice in order to inspire youth to use their voices as a tool for change. In 2014 she received the Chicago 3Arts Award for her work as a teaching artist. Sophia is currently my teaching assistant and works with the advanced photojournalism course to help guide students throughout the semester. She understands the importance of building up and encouraging her fellow classmates in order to create an environment that is supportive.
Sophia’s work ethic is admirable. She approaches each assignment ready for a challenge and growth, both technically or conceptually. I believe Sophia would be a wonderful recipient, and I am honored to recommend her for this award.
Sincerely,
Chad A. Stevens
Assistant Professor | Visual Communication
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
I had the fortune of meeting Morgan Lieberman a couple of years ago on a wintery afternoon at the University of Missouri. She was enjoying a snow day in the heart of campus (a Los Angeles native, Morgan was excited to see snow) and I was making photos for the main university homepage. I asked for her name to complete my photo caption and we went our separate ways. Morgan kept in touch with me and we eventually crossed paths again to form a teacher-student relationship, as well as a professional connection.
Morgan has a passion for making photos and telling stories with her camera. She is very enthusiastic and proactive when it comes to making things happen. On more than one occasion, Morgan has photographed events on campus that represent important social issues. These include: Concerned Student 1950 protests (her photo appeared in the LA Times), Nikole Hannah-Jones (named Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists), members of the Israeli Army, the Cultural Association of India, Planned Parenthood protests, Diane Nash (one of the pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement), and many others.
It’s not surprising that Morgan was one of a select few to be chosen to join the inaugural class of documentary journalism students. Morgan will write scripts, shoot video, record audio, edit short documentaries and work on full-length films. She will have opportunities to enter her work in film festivals and distribute it online or through a broadcast channel. By combining art and pushing the bounds of truth and fiction in journalism, Morgan will undoubtedly produce beautiful, meaningful work that will empower both women and men who see her productions. When I’ve asked her to go the extra mile, she abides – and it’s always for the benefit of somebody beside herself.
Chosen for her leadership skills, creativity, and interviewing skills, Morgan has also separated herself from the vast number of people who applied to represent the University of Missouri as a tour team guide – an elite honor that few receive after enduring a rigorous application process. When people visit campus, Morgan is the face of the University.
Morgan is focused and she doesn’t waste time on things that aren’t important to her. Her days are full of activities, many of which focus on giving back to others. I have already witnessed her give back to the organizations to which she belongs as a photographer, documentarian and straight-up good person. I have worked with her for several months and have always been impressed with her ability to get things done. She is ambitious and not afraid to work hard. Most recently, I asked her to photograph an event of a man who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. She didn’t hesitate for a second to change her plans and volunteer her skills. Her photos will memorialize a man who most likely will pass away and leave his family in the next two years.
I strongly recommend Morgan Lieberman for the Rich Clarkson Scholarship.
All the best,
Shane Epping
Affiliate Graduate Faculty
School of Journalism, University of Missouri
Re: Sarah Miller
March 1, 2016
I had the opportunity to work closely with Sarah Miller on a variety of projects during her time as a student in my Photography 1 class (MICA, Fall 2104). Sarah immediately impressed me as someone who was genuinely invested in her education, and furthermore, motivated to challenge herself through the image-making process.
As part of the class, students were asked to develop a photo essay. While many of Sarah’s peers struggled with this assignment, she quickly articulated a desire to explore the dynamics of an aging couple. The resulting work was not only cohesive, but it also demonstrated the maturity of Sarah’s approach. During the development of this project, she showed a willingness to challenge herself and work through technical problems as she encountered them. This attitude and work ethic motivated her peers working alongside her, and elevated the overall quality of the class.
Sarah was so interested in the format of non-fictional storytelling, that she developed another photo essay as her final project. It documented the story of a local politician who left Annapolis to pursue a new path as a middle school science teacher. Again, it was not only well done, but exceeded my expectations.
Sarah is clearly interested in the role that photography plays in the way that we understand and communicate about the world around us. It is my opinion that she would be a deserving recipient of one of your scholarships. I have no doubt that she will leverage this opportunity for maximum benefit.
Sincerely,
Penny Forester
Adjunct Professor, Photography
Phone: 443.799.8352
E-mail: pforester@towson.edu
March 1, 2016
To the NPPF Scholarship Selection Committee:
Our Photojournalism program has a group of promising journalists who are entering their fourth year at WKU. With all of this talent, sometimes it is hard to stand out, but Harrison Hill has done just that; he has in fact done so since he first stepped foot into the my classroom four years ago.
Harrison impressed me early on when he tackled a tough story in my Introduction to Photojournalism class. He documented the struggles of a couple that had recently come off of living on the streets and had moved into a small apartment. He successfully showed the tentativeness of their situation and the uncertainty of their future. It was evident from looking at his project that Harrison had gained the kind of trust from this couple that results in meaningful and storytelling images.
Perhaps it is in his genes, since his father is a photographer, but from the very beginning, Harrison understood the importance of being active in his photography outside of classes. He has twice been a lab assistant for the Mountain Workshops, a photojournalism workshop that brings in professionals and participants from across the country to document a community in Kentucky each year. He has been a staff photographer for both the college newspaper and yearbook. This past year he has been on the leadership team of the NPPA WKU student chapter.
Harrison’s hard work has translated into recognition and employment. He was awarded the Lynn Saunders Scholarship through the Photojournalism program two years ago. Last spring, Harrison was awarded a George Tames Scholarship; this honor is given to the top four students in our program. He also received a Joseph Dear Scholarship through the School of Journalism and Broadcasting. This past summer Harrison interned at The Boston Globe, and next summer he is headed to the Los Angeles Times.
Thank you for considering Harrison for an NPPF Scholarship, and please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Professor James H. Kenney Jr.
Photojournalism Program Coordinator
Mountain Workshops Director
Western Kentucky University
I have had the opportunity to work with Collette Carroll at Starbucks over the course of the last year. She is a remarkable, creative and goal oriented young lady with immense drive. I have assigned her to many metrics to assist with sales in which she was able to formulate plans and implement them to achieve and surpass the expected results.
I am impressed by her leadership skills. She is able to influence partners in a way that most tenured managers struggle with. She understands how important it is to lead diverse personalities through situational leadership and communication methods. Collette is very good at behaving in a way that people want to follow her and respect her because of it. She also understands what it is to be a part of a team and what impact she makes on others around her.
I thoroughly enjoy working with Collette Carroll, she is an asset to my leadership team. She is a well rounded individual and I highly recommend her for the Rich Clarkson Scholarship.
Thank you,
Tanya Motisi
Starbucks Store Manager
10601 Tierrasanta Blvd. Suite A
San Diego, CA 92124
858.565.2168
Dear National Press Photographers Foundation;
John T. Knight is a perfect storm of intelligence, focused energy, and creativity.
I first met 4 years John while directing a production of Stephen Karam’s “Speech and Debate” at American Theatre Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At 15, John was seeking substantive opportunities outside the simplistic “color by numbers” experience of high school drama. I immediately found him a thoughtful, talented soul whose scenes were appropriately hilarious and heartbreaking. These are also the exact qualities that described John’s fledgling standup routine –one that he performed non-stop while simultaneously shouldering the burdens of high school attendance and corresponding extracurricular activities, plus a 30-hour a week job. His hard work paid off, immediately making him one of the most talented new faces on the local comedy scene.
It was in his drive to perform, perfect, and expand his routine that we struck up a mentor relationship. John is always reaching for the next rung and knew that telling stories in dramatic form would always be his goal. Using my MFA training from NYU in Dramatic Writing, I began to explain to John the rigors of the dramatic process. He soaked up the information and, never one to wait for opportunity to come to him, developed his own show featuring an easy marriage of comedy and narrative elements. He wrote, directed, acted in, produced, and marketed his show to packed opening audiences.
John is unafraid to approach anyone. John realizes that ambitions are fulfilled only when followed by the will and action to achieve them. From the start, he set his sites on higher goals and seeks to get higher results. He also has some great comic perspective reverencing both edgy new comedians and classic geniuses.
Seeing that no longform improv classes were offered in town, John cobbled together the snarky crew of improvisers, a qualified teacher, and a class venue.
He’s relentless, fierce, and brimming with comedy that lives outside the box.
Over the years, despite the huge gap in our age, I have come to regard John not just as a former mentee, but as a talented colleague. He has the heart of an artist and the mind of a showman. I offer him my strongest recommendation.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Walters
Artistic Associate, American Theatre Company
March 1, 2016
To the NPPF Scholarship Selection Committee:
Our Photojournalism program has a group of promising journalists who are entering their fourth year at WKU. With all of this talent, sometimes it is hard to stand out, but Harrison Hill has done just that; he has in fact done so since he first stepped foot into the my classroom four years ago.
Harrison impressed me early on when he tackled a tough story in my Introduction to Photojournalism class. He documented the struggles of a couple that had recently come off of living on the streets and had moved into a small apartment. He successfully showed the tentativeness of their situation and the uncertainty of their future. It was evident from looking at his project that Harrison had gained the kind of trust from this couple that results in meaningful and storytelling images.
Perhaps it is in his genes, since his father is a photographer, but from the very beginning, Harrison understood the importance of being active in his photography outside of classes. He has twice been a lab assistant for the Mountain Workshops, a photojournalism workshop that brings in professionals and participants from across the country to document a community in Kentucky each year. He has been a staff photographer for both the college newspaper and yearbook. This past year he has been on the leadership team of the NPPA WKU student chapter.
Harrison’s hard work has translated into recognition and employment. He has just been named a New York Times Student Journalism Institute Fellow; he was runner-up student White House News Photographer of the Year in 2015 and 2016; runner-up College Photographer of the Year in the Kentucky News Photographer Association’s Pictures of the Year competition in 2016; and he won an honorable mention award in the NPPA Best of Photojournalism competition in 2015.
This past summer Harrison interned at The Boston Globe, and next summer he is headed to the Los Angeles Times. In addition, Harrison was awarded the Lynn Saunders Scholarship through the Photojournalism program two years ago. Last spring, Harrison was awarded a George Tames Scholarship; this honor is given to the top four students in our program. He also received a Joseph Dear Scholarship through the School of Journalism and Broadcasting.
Thank you for considering Harrison for an NPPF Scholarship, and please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Professor James H. Kenney Jr.
Photojournalism Program Coordinator
Mountain Workshops Director
Western Kentucky University
Michelle Chavez is one of the most dedicated and motivated journalism students I have had the pleasure of teaching, and I strongly recommend her for the Clarkson Scholarship. Last semester alone, Michelle excelled, shouldering a full course load, two internships and active involvement in several journalism organizations on campus. All of her work – on and off campus – reflects her commitment to sound, ethical journalism.
Michelle has known she wanted to be a journalist from a very young age, and her early dedication led to a four-summer contract with C-SPAN, which she started after graduating high school. Since then, Michelle has taken advantage of a series of internships and newsroom opportunities to improve her skills and grow as a photojournalist, beyond the excellent work she has done in the classroom.
Michelle has consistently sought out diverse newsroom environments. Last semester, she interned at NBC Washington and also, Voice of America, where she produced three packages that incorporated her fluency in three languages. She has interned in the past at CBS Radio and Univision. Michelle has been a freelance reporter for Kali TV, an online news outlet that covers issues tied to Africans in the US, for almost two years. Through these experiences, she has not only been able to use her multilingual skills, but she has also learned how to cover stories tied to various cultures, such as those of the Hispanic and African communities.
Michelle is an active leader in of the student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (MABJ). As the advisor for this organization, I’ve seen Michelle’s work ethic outside of the classroom, as she’s helped plan events throughout the school year, including media trips to New York City, and local news stations, NBC Washington and WUSA 9.
Michelle’s proven commitment to journalism excellence makes her a very strong candidate for this scholarship, and I hope you will see fit to reward and support her hard work and dedication.
Recommendation for Kelsey Cronin
National Press Photographers Association
March 1, 2016
To Whom It May Concern:
Kelsey was a student in my Production I class in the fall of 2015. This class is basically an introduction to filmmaking and it requires a mix of creativity to invent stories and the discipline to execute them. Kelsey excelled on all levels.
I can confidently say that Kelsey is one of the most imaginative, thoughtful and intelligent students I have had. She has a unique combination of skills and talents that make her an exceptional person. She is articulate, writes well, and expresses her thoughts clearly. But she also has truly interesting thoughts and an open and curious mind, which allows her to explore new ground and synthesize new ideas.
Kelsey is also exceedingly trustworthy. She treats people with respect, honors commitments, and maintains a positive attitude.
While most of my students are competent, Kelsey shines above the crowd because of her range of ideas and capacity for deep thinking. She has an inquisitive and creative mind and is meticulous in her work.
In my class she showed particular skill in story design. And she has the aesthetic sense to create a presentation that is well paced, graphically interesting and accompanied by an effective sound design.
Kelsey shows great promise because she is both talented and highly motivated. But beyond all of that, I recommend her most highly just because she is a wonderful person.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want any further information.
Sincerely,
Geoff Poister, PhD
Associate Professor
Boston University
Department of Film and Television
(617) 353-4545
poister@bu.edu
To The NPPF Scholarship Selection Committee 3/7/16
I am writing to recommend Michael Owens for an NPPF Scholarship.
Michael is a very good student and has grown considerably over the last year. He manages to balance his job at RIT’s Reporter magazine and well as other non-photo-related jobs with his schoolwork.
Until last year, Michael thought that being a photographer focused primarily on sports was his path for the future. But on our annual visit to NYC, Michael was exposed to editing – and primarily sports picture editing – and he decided that this would be his new path. He shows great promise in this area and has already garnered a “distance” internship with The Sporting News and has been chosen as the summer intern for Sports Illustrated.
Michael pays his own way through RIT which, while a great deal, is a much more expensive proposition than the regular state school that most NPPA student members attend. His loans and part-time jobs creates an additional burden on Owens that could be helped with an NPPF scholarship. It would allow him to take an additional “in-school” internship next fall instead of working one of his jobs
I ask that the Selection Committee to please give Michael’s application serious consideration for an NPPF scholarship.
If you need any further information about Michael, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
William Snyder
Professor, Chair of Photojournalism Program
wdspph@rit.edu
214-215-7742
It is my pleasure to recommend Makayla Miller for the NPPF Rich Clarkson Scholarship. I have had Makayla in my Media & Society class and have been her adviser for several semesters. I am impressed by Ms. Miller’s energy and drive, as well as her dedication to her studies and her future profession.
Makayla is committed to her studies and will work hard to accomplish her goals. I am sure that she will continue to excel in the future and I believe that this investment in her preparation will yield a positive outcome.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Samuel Ebersole, PhD
As director of the photojournalism and design track in the Journalism Department at the University of Cincinnati, I can say with confidence that Nick Brown enters his higher-education career better prepared than almost any student I have advised.
His raw talent, creativity and drive are impressive. It is his involvement with student media at UC that impresses me the most. Rising from contributor to staff, to chief photographer is difficult over a four year period, let alone a couple of semesters. Although excelling at sports photography, Brown has embraced the challenge of assignments and environments less familiar to him, and has done it with confidence and skill.
In the classroom, Brown has proven to be a strong contributor, a skilled writer, and a thoughtful student. He is clearly a good photographer, but recognizes the room and need for continual growth and advancement in the field.
Brown has demonstrated his commitment to the profession and his desire to grow as a photojournalist and a person. The financial support, prestige, and self-esteem boost that the NPPF can provide is genuine.
It is my pleasure to recommend Nick Brown for an NPPF scholarship.