WKU News

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Broadcasters Association (KBA) announced the recipients of its 25th annual Harry Barfield Scholarship awards program.

Five new recipients will be receiving $2,500 scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year: Marcus Browning,  Western Kentucky University (WKU), of Somerset; Frederick "Gil" Brummett of Northern Kentucky University; Kalee Chism, WKU, of Louisville; Ethan Fedele of the University of Kentucky;  and Marisa Hempel of Eastern Kentucky University.

The scholarships are awarded through a competitive application process which includes academic achievement, the recommendation of a faculty member, and extracurricular activities. The awards are renewable for a second year provided recipients continue to meet specified criteria.

Three students who received the KBA Barfield Scholarship in 2015-16 have had their awards, also valued at $2,500, renewed for the 2016-17 academic year: Alan Branch of the University of Louisville, Elizabeth Gabbert of UK, and Taylor Gadberry of UK. Three previous recipients from last year, Haddy Badjie, WKU, of Lewisville, Texas, Parker Franklin of Murray State University, and Cory McCauley of WKU graduated this spring.

"The KBA is proud to be able to help these talented students pursue their higher education," said Henry Lackey, president and CEO of KBA. "This year's total of $20,000 in scholarship awards means the KBA now has awarded a total of $245,000 in scholarships since the inception of the program in the 1992-93 academic year. Many of these recipients have gone on to successful careers in broadcasting and other related communications fields."

The program is named in honor of Harry Barfield, the late president and chairman of WLEX-TV in Lexington.

Carl Nathe of UK Public Relations and Marketing, a longtime KBA associate member, administers the program.

For more information on the School of Journalism & Broadcasting's Broadcast major, contact the School at (270) 745-4144.