Scholarships

Supporting the next generation of Ohio journalists

$100,000+ awarded to 100+ promising journalism students

Each year at our Founders’ Day celebration, the Chapter awards four scholarships to promising journalism students. As of 2026, more than $100,000 has been awarded since the program began. Recipients are selected by the Chapter Board of Directors, guided by recommendations from college advisors. For more information on these programs, contact the Chapter at spjcentralohio@gmail.com.

James W. Faulkner Scholarship

Two Scholarships

Available to any Ohio students. Named in honor of Faulkner (1864-1923), the Statehouse correspondent for The Cincinnati Enquirer, the founder of the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association and the dean of political writers during his lifetime.

Jacob A. Meckstroth Scholarship

One Scholarship

Awarded to an Ohio State University SPJ member in honor of Meckstroth (1887-1985), a founding Chapter member, member of OSU’s first journalism class and the longtime editor of the Ohio State Journal.

Norman H. Dohn Scholarship

One Scholarship

Awarded to an Ohio University student in memory of Dohn (1920-1997), a founding Chapter member and longtime Columbus journalist, journalism professor and Central Ohio board member.

View Past Winners
  • 2026 – Ellen Hansen, Denison University (Faulkner); Austin Gano, Ohio State University (Faulkner); Noah Cavin, Ohio University (Faulkner); Haley Richardson, Ohio University (Dohn); Allison Wolfe, Ohio State University (Meckstroth)
  • 2025 – Lily Pace, Ohio State University (Faulkner); Tyler Thompson, Denison University (Faulkner); Taylor Stumbaugh, Miami University (Faulkner); Sydney Brown, Kent State University (Faulkner); Sophia Anness, Ohio University (Dohn); Sandra Fu, Ohio State University (Meckstroth)
  • 2024 – Daphne Graeter, Ohio University (Faulkner); Lucy Lawler, Ohio State University (Faulkner); Caroline Zollinger, Denison University (Faulkner); Lillian Marinski, Ohio University (Dohn); Emma Wozniak, Ohio State University (Meckstroth)
  • 2023 – Kate Shields, Ohio State University (Faulkner); McKenna Christy, Ohio State University (Faulkner); Torria Catrone, Denison University (Faulkner); Alyssa Cruz, Ohio University (Dohn); Josie Stewart, Ohio State University (Meckstroth)
  • 2022 – Megan Husslein, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Claire Shiopota, Ohio University (Dohn); Tom Hanks of  The Ohio State University (Faulkner) and Isabel Nissley of Ohio University (Faulkner)
  • 2021 – Bella Czajkowski, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Helen Widman, Ohio University (Dohn); Sarah Szilagy of  The Ohio State University (Faulkner); Emily Crebs of Ohio University (Faulkner); and Taj Simmons of Miami University
  • 2020 – No ceremony due to Covid-19
  • 2019 – Abhigyaan Bararia, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Julie Ciotola, Ohio University (Dohn); Samantha Raudins of  The Ohio State University (Faulkner) and Ashton Nichols of Ohio University (Faulkner)
  • 2018 – Zach Varda, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Maddie Capron, Ohio University (Dohn); Jake Rahe of  The Ohio State University (Faulkner) and Margaret Campbell of Ohio University (Faulkner)
  • 2017 – Kelly Rudolph, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Anthony Heim, Ohio University (Dohn); Sheridan Hendrix of  The Ohio State University (Faulkner) and Hayley Harding of Ohio University (Faulkner)
  • 2014 – Ritika Shah, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Meryl Gottlieb, Ohio University (Dohn), Dominic Binkley, Bowling Green State University (Faulkner)
  • 2013 – Shay Trotter, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Kali Borovic, Ohio University (Dohn); Ritika Shah, Ohio State University and Lindsay Friedman, Ohio University (Faulkner)
  • 2012 – Alexis Preskar, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Sandhya Kambhampati, Ohio University (Dohn); Ally Marotti, Ohio State University (Faulkner)
  • 2010 – Emma Morehart, Ohio University (Dohn); Matthew Kraus, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Dylan Tussel, Ohio State University (Faulkner)
  • 2009 – Krista Henneck, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Jaimie Raterman, Ohio University (Dohn); Fallon Forbush, Otterbein College, and Taylor Mirfendereski, Ohio University (Faulkner)
  • 2008 – Garrett Downing, Ohio University (Dohn); Aubrey Herbst, Wittenberg University (Faulkner); and Zachary Timmons, Ohio State University (Meckstroth)
  • 2007 – Erin Pompili, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Lee K. Robbins, Ohio University (Dohn); Lisa Halverstadt, Bowling Green State University, and Matt Zapotosky, Ohio University (Faulkner)
  • 2006 – Brittany Hughes, Ohio University (Dohn); Ryan Merrill, Ohio State University (Meckstroth); Christopher Ankey, University of Toledo, and Amanda Kawalek, Ohio State (Faulkner)

Photo Credits: James Faulkner photo is public domain. Jacob A. Meckstroth photo courtesy of the Columbus Dispatch. Norman H. Dohn photo courtesy of the State of Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

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