The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) announced that it will administer the John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation Scholarship Fund to ensure the perpetuation of the Foundation’s educational mission to support students beginning a career in radio.
The Foundation will transfer the administration of its scholarship program and funding to BEA, as association who exists to connect the electronic media world to the classroom and to support faculty and students in research, creative endeavors and professional development. BEA has been awarding scholarships to aspiring broadcasters since 1961.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors has appointed a liaison committee to work with BEA and will continue operating under this new structure until industry conditions permit a return to a self-governing independent entity. The scholarships will be selected by BEA’s Scholarship Committee currently chaired by Pete Orlik, Central Michigan University.
“It is an absolute honor to have been selected as the new home for the John Bayliss Foundation Scholarships,” said Heather Birks, Executive Director of the Broadcast Education Association. “John Bayliss shared our mission to educate the next generation of broadcasters so we are dedicated to awarding outstanding college/university students pursuing careers in radio broadcasting. We will continue to recognize students with the grace and dignity established by the John Bayliss Foundation.”
The Foundation was created in honor of John Bayliss, a 25-year radio industry veteran who generously shared his appreciation for the medium by encouraging college students to pursue a career in radio. Since 1985, the Foundation has distributed more than $1.2 million in scholarships to 345 exceptional students. These students were selected to receive the Bayliss Radio Scholarship because of their academic achievement and extracurricular radio activities, their passion for radio and their desire to contribute to the overall advancement of the radio industry.
The Broadcast Education Association is the professional association for professors, industry professionals and students interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises. There are currently more than 1,500 individual and institutional members. Visit www.beaweb.org for more information.
