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Central Michigan University is the among the first institutions in the state to have its own endowed scholarship fund with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, courtesy of an adjunct professor with a longstanding connection to the university.
Larry Patrick recently pledged $25,000 to the MAB - which will match the contribution - to endow an annual scholarship designated for CMU broadcasting students. Patrick, president of media investment banking and brokerage firm Patrick Communications LLC and owner of 16-station radio group Legend Communications, also requested that the scholarship be named for CMU School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts Director Peter Orlik.
"This is a tremendous thing for Larry to do," said Orlik. "He respects our program a great deal and plays a significant role in it.
CMU is one of the first schools to have a dedicated MAB scholarship, but more are expected to follow suit as the association shifts its scholarship disbursement philosophy, Orlik said.
"What the MAB foundation has done historically is gather general donations, look at schools that offer broadcasting, and give $1,000 scholarships to students at those schools in alternating years," he said.
Patrick said Orlik is "a textbook author, teacher and true friend of the broadcasting industry," and he "could think of no better way to honor Dr. Orlik" than to name the scholarship for him.
"Pete Orlik has been a leader in broadcast education in Michigan and the nation," Patrick said. "He has guided the careers of thousands of broadcast students over the years."
The first scholarship will likely be awarded in spring 2008 for the 2008-09 academic year. BCA students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year and carrying at least a 2.75 overall grade point average and a 3.0 grade point average in their BCA course work will be eligible to apply for the nonrenewable award. Other criteria will include extensive involvement in BCA cocurricular activities, as well as a demonstrated commitment to the pursuit of a broadcast-industry career.
