Join us as we celebrate the 2025 recipients of scholarships from the Akron Press Club, the John S. Knight Memorial Journalism Fund and the Sojourner Truth Education Committee during a special luncheon at Greystone Hall, 103 S. High Street in downtown Akron.
The scholarships are given to students studying journalism, communications or public relations and marketing. Each scholarship is $5,000.
“These students are proof that our future is in good hands,” said Bruce Winges, president of the Akron Press Club and the John S. Knight Memorial Journalism Fund. “We thank the parents, mentors and teachers who are leading these students on their academic journey. We are proud to join them on that journey.”
Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Time: Noon
Location: Greystone Hall, 103 S. High Street in downtown Akron
Cost: $35 per person
For reservations, click the button above or email us at akronpressclub@gmail.com.
We hope you can join us!
WINNERS
The Sojourner Truth Legacy Scholarship is a collaboration between Sojourner Truth Education Committee and the Akron Press Club. The scholarship honors renowned women’s rights activist and abolitionist Sojourner Truth, who made her historic speech known as “Ain’t I A Woman?” in Akron on May 29, 1851. The recipients of this year’s scholarships are:
- Dasha McCary, North High School
- Kortlyn Thomas, Firestone Community Learning Center.
Five area college students were selected for scholarships in memory of longtime Akron Beacon Journal editor John S. Knight. This year’s Knight scholars are:
- Adriana Gasiewski, Kent State University
- John Engoglia, Kent State University
- Lauren Bischof, Kent State University
- Sydney Brown, Kent State University;
- Avery St. George, Ohio University.
One student received the Russ Pry scholarship from the Akron Press Club, named in honor of the Summit County executive who died in 2016. He supported the Press Club through his annual State of the County speech. Current Executive Ilene Shapiro continues that tradition. The Press Club sincerely thanks Summit County for its generous donation to our scholarship fund. This year’s Russ Pry scholar is:
- Donovan Birkett, Baldwin Wallace University
Through the generosity of Aileen Thong, a retired U.S. Army physician, in tribute to her father, the late Louis Gitsin Thong, the Akron Press Club awarded two scholarships. This year’s Thong scholars are:
- John Hilber, Kent State University
- Megan Williams, The University of Akron.
One Akron Press Club scholarship is made possible by Elizabeth Bartz, president and chief executive officer of State and Federal Communications. This year’s Bartz scholar is:
- Kayla Gleason, Kent State University