Communication Studies

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COMS Awards and Scholarships

Each year, the Communication Studies Department recognizes excellence among our students as demonstrated through academic achievement, acts of service, and community engagement. Through the generous support of alumni and other patrons, we are pleased to offer a number of awards, scholarships, and honors to our undergraduate and graduate students.

To be eligible for awards and scholarships, students must apply for each award separately. For most awards, applicants must be a declared Communication Studies major or graduate student attending California State University, Northridge. The Donald Cameron, Amy Rebman, and Len Wurthman awards are available to non-majors that have contributed significantly to the department or co-curricular programs. Please read the details of each award/scholarship carefully as they each have different application criteria. In some circumstances, awards are based on demonstrated financial need, so scholarships may be used to meet that need instead of being awarded directly. The submission process is entirely online.

The awards below are only for awards and scholarships in the Communication Studies Department. Students should also consider applying for College and University-wide awards. These awards require separate applications and have different eligibility requirements and deadlines.

 

Application for all undergraduate and graduate COMS Awards and Scholarships are NOW OPEN for 2024!

The Awards Application deadline is March 10, 2024, at 11:59 pm

 

NOTE: Receiving a scholarship may impact your financial aid package.  Please see a financial aid counselor.

Awards and Scholarships

• • SPRING 2024 AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

  • Kent Joel Snyder Award
  • Richard Aronstam Forensics Award
  • Richard Aronstam Performance Ensemble Award
  • Amy Rebman CYI Outstanding Service Award
  • Donald Cameron Award
  • Elizabeth Berry Outstanding TA Award
  • Len Wurthman Departmental Service Award
  • Fred McMahon Outstanding Communicator Award
  • Charles Mudd Award
  • Richard Aronstam Outstanding Senior Award.
  • Bradley Bessey Fulcrum of Change Award
  • Mary G. McEdwards Re-Entry Student Award
  • Spirit of Communication Award
  • Dean's Recognition Scholarship – Junior
  • Dean’s Recognition Scholarship – Freshman
  • Dean’s Recognition Scholarship – Graduate Student
  • Jeff Felix Family Scholarship
  • Ellen and Howard Press Family Scholarship
  • CSUN Forensics Scholarship (for incoming high school students)

Kent Joel Snyder Award

Kent Joel Snyder earned his M.A. in Communication Studies in 1969 and went to work in the insurance industry.  In 1976, he established the Snyder Awards - the first scholarship established in the Communications Studies department - which have benefitted CSUN students in the department for more than 45 years.  Kent’s contributions serve as a model of giving back to the community.

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer two scholarships each semester of $500 each, one to a grad student and one to an undergraduate student.

Criteria:

Awarded to a student who is

  1. in good standing at CSUN,
  2. a declared Communication Studies major or M.A. student
  3. a senior or graduate student in Fall or Spring of the current academic year
  4. GPA of 3.0 or better in either overall GPA or Communication Studies GPA

Apply link

Richard Aronstam Forensics Award

The Aronstam Forensics Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the CSUN Speech and Debate program by a Communication Studies student.

Richard B. Aronstam was a faculty member in the Department. He wrote movie screenplays and songs (the latter of which still generate ASCAP revenue), and worked as a writer for Red Skelton, Eddie Cantor, and other popular performers during radio’s Golden Age. Richard was an avid reader. His wife, Elsie, founded the Aronstam Library by donating his private collection of books.

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer two scholarships annually of $1000.

Criteria:

  • A high scholastic record or potential,
  • Has contributed to the department’s Forensics program,
  • Contribution to the ensemble could include: administrative work, teaching, coaching mentoring, participation at forensics tournaments, providing service to the university, college, department, or forensics communities, efforts to create community on the forensics team, active engagement in forensics-related service projects, or other lively and sustained participation with the forensics program
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major or M.A. student

Apply link 

Richard Aronstam Performance Ensemble Award

The Aronstam Performance Ensemble Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the Performance Ensemble by a Communication Studies student.

Richard B. Aronstam was a faculty member in the Department. He wrote movie screenplays and songs (the latter of which still generate ASCAP revenue), and worked as a writer for Red Skelton, Eddie Cantor, and other popular performers during radio’s Golden Age. Richard was an avid reader. His wife, Elsie, founded the Aronstam Library by donating his private collection of books.

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer two scholarships annually of $1000.

Criteria:

  • A high scholastic record or potential,
  • Has contributed to the department’s Performance Ensemble program,
  • Contribution to the ensemble could include: directing, administrative work, teaching, mentoring, participation at performance festivals, providing service to the university, college, department, or other communities, efforts to create community on the performance ensemble, active engagement in performance related service projects, or other lively and sustained participation with the ensemble,
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major or M.A. student

Apply link 

Amy Rebman CYI Outstanding Service Award

Amy Rebman was a graduate student and Teaching Associate in the COMS Dept. at the time of her death in 2006.

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer one scholarship annually of $100 

Criteria: 

  • Provided to a student who demonstrates excellence in working with the Communication for Youth Institute.
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major

 Apply link

Donald Cameron Award

Don Cameron is Emeritus Professor of rhetorical studies in the COMS Dept. In addition to heading the Debate Program, he served as Dept. Chair, Associate Dean of Students, Vice Provost, and President of WSCA.

 

Presented to a non-COMS major who demonstrates excellence in Forensics. 

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer one scholarship annually of $300

Criteria:

  • Awarded to one non-Communication Studies undergraduate student
  • Substantial academic achievement (Minimum 3.0 GPA)
  • Demonstrated excellence in the Forensics. This could be through participation and/or success at tournaments, providing service to the university, college, department, or forensics communities, efforts to create community on the forensics team and/or with surrounding communities, active engagement in forensics related service projects, or other lively and sustained participation with the forensics program

Apply link

Elizabeth Berry Outstanding TA Award

Elizabeth Berry is an emeritus faculty member in the Communication Studies department. Dr. Berry served the university faithfully for 34 years, serving as COMS department chair, as well as co-founding of the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies, serving as Faculty Rights Chair for the CFA for 12 years, and co-developed and taught a course with Professor Mary McEdwards called The Rhetoric of Women’s Liberation, the first of two courses focused on women offered by CSUN; it evolved into COMS 435 Rhetoric of Women.

 

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer one scholarship annually of $300

Criteria:

  • Outstanding teaching and service to students by a Teaching Associate in the Department of Communication Studies
  • Must have at least a 3.0 GPA 
  • Must be a Communication Studies M.A. student

Apply link

Len Wurthman Departmental Service Award

Len Wurthman is an Emeritus Professor of Communication Studies at CSUN. He played minor league baseball before joining the faculty, where he served as an advisor to CSUN student athletes before the more formal system of advisement was established. Len oversaw a course called the ‘Speaker’s Bureau’, a service learning course in public speaking that found students going into the community to give presentations.

 

Awarded to a student for providing significant volunteer service to the Communication Studies department. Such service could include: Aronstam Library monitors, setting up, taking down, or staffing department events, and/or members or officers of the Communication Association, Performance Ensemble, or Forensics.

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer one scholarship annually of $250.

Criteria:

  • Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student who has provided significant volunteer service to the Department (such as setting up, taking down, or staffing events  and/or members or officers of the Communication Association, Performance Ensemble, or Forensics).

 

Apply link

Fred McMahon Outstanding Communicator Award

Fred McMahon was a rhetorical scholar and founding member of the COMS Department. He served as Dept. Chair and Director of the Forensics team for many years, helping lead debaters to a victory that would secure the first trophy for the campus community. He also edited a small quarterly journal in the 1970s dedicated to rhetorical criticism called Exetasis.

 

Awarded to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate communicator in the Department. 

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer one scholarship annually of $250

Criteria:

  • Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student
  • Demonstrates outstanding communication abilities through coursework (written or oral presentations), class participation, conference presentations, and/or other public lectures/presentations
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major or M.A. student

Apply link

Charles Mudd Award

Charles Mudd was a founding member of the COMS Department and rhetorical studies scholar.

 

Awarded to an outstanding graduate student in Communication Studies who contributes to the life of the Department.

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer one scholarship annually of $250

Criteria:

  • Awarded to an exceptional graduate student who contributes to the life of the Department
  • Contributions to the department can include: participation in Department events, mentoring fellow graduate students, active engagement in seminar, and/or service to the Department.
  • Must be a Communication Studies M.A. student

Apply link

Richard Aronstam Outstanding Senior Award

Richard B. Aronstam was a faculty member in the Department. He wrote movie screenplays and songs (the latter of which still generate ASCAP revenue), and worked as a writer for Red Skelton, Eddie Cantor, and other popular performers during radio’s Golden Age. Richard was an avid reader. His wife, Elsie, founded the Aronstam Library by donating his private collection of books.

 

Awarded to two graduating seniors who have achieved one of the highest GPAs in the Department (3.0 minimum), and who have contributed significantly to the life of the Department through participation in Department events, efforts to create community among undergraduate students in or out of the classroom, active engagement in co-curricular or student programs (e.g., Communication Association, Forensics, Performance Ensemble, PRSSA, etc.), service to the Department (e.g., Aronstam Library monitor), and/or lively and sustained participation in classes.

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer two scholarships annually of $1000 each.

Criteria:

  • Awarded to two graduating seniors who have achieved one of the highest GPAs (3.0 minimum)
  • Contributed significantly to the life of the Department
  • Contribution to the department could include: participation in Department events, efforts to create community among undergraduate students in or out of the classroom, active engagement in co-curricular or student programs (e.g., Communication Association, Forensics, Performance Ensemble, etc.), service to the Department (e.g., Aronstam library monitor), and/or other lively and sustained participation in classes
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major

Apply link

Bradly Bessey Fulcrum of Change Award

Bradly Bessey is an Emmy Award-winning television producer who, after thirty-five years in the entertainment industry, obtained his M.A. in Communication Studies in 2022. Within the department, he wrote extensively about LGBTQ+ equality. He was twice selected to present work at the National Communications Association Annual Convention, once in 2020 and again in 2022. He offers this award in honor of the CSUN Communication Studies professors who inspired him to raise his voice for change

Award Amount:

The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer one scholarship annually of $1000.

Criteria:

  • Awarded to a graduate student
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Student should demonstrate ways their academic work within the Department of Communication Studies strives to make a difference through social justice activism to promote a more equitable world. This can be shown in coursework (written and/or oral presentations), performances, conference presentations, and/or journal submissions.
  • Preference is given to those who have presented work at conferences, but this is not a requirement.
  • Must be a Communication Studies MA student the year they apply for the award

Apply link

Mary G. McEdwards Re-Entry Student Award

Mary G. McEdwards was the first female faculty member hired in the Dept. She started college in Michigan but paused her education to raise a family. She returned to school when her youngest child entered first grade, completing her BA in 1959 and her MA in 1960 at CSUN. She taught part-time until she was hired as Assistant Professor in 1963, and retired in 1988 as Full Professor. During her time as a professor at CSUN, Mary served campus Faculty Senate President (becoming the first woman to hold the position), and co-developed and taught a course with Professor Elizabeth Berry called The Rhetoric of Women’s Liberation. (This was the first of two courses focused on women offered by CSUN; it evolved into COMS 435 Rhetoric of Women). She is remembered as a committed mentor and advocate for women, especially returning students.

 

Awarded to a re-entry student (undergraduate or graduate) who has demonstrated significant academic achievement as a COMS major. A re-entry student is one who took time off after high school or after beginning their degree and then returned to school later to earn their degree

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer one scholarship annually of $250

Criteria:

  • Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate re-entry student
  • Demonstrated significant academic achievement
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major

Apply link

Spirit of Communication Award

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer two scholarships annually of $100 each.

Criteria:

  • Awarded to two students (undergraduate or graduate) that embody the values of the Department and are who are dedicated to achieving a degree and maintaining enthusiasm for the major despite hardships (that could include financial, physical, and/or personal hardship).
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major or M.A. student

Apply link

Dean’s Recognition Scholarship – Freshman

Award Amount:
The Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication is able to offer one scholarship annually of $500 for a continuing freshman

Criteria:

  • Awarded to a continuing freshman (must complete a minimum of 30 units by the end of the spring semester in the current academic year)
  • Outstanding service to the Department, University and or community
  • Must have completed a financial aid application
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major

Apply link

Dean's Recognition Scholarship – Junior

Award Amount:
The Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication is able to offer one scholarship annually of $500 for a continuing junior

Criteria:

  • Awarded to a continuing junior (must complete a minimum of 90 units by the end of the spring semester in the current academic year)
  • Outstanding service to the Department, University and or community
  • Must have completed a financial aid application
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major

Apply link

Dean’s Recognition Scholarship – Graduate Student

Award Amount:
The Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication is able to offer one scholarship annually of $500 for a continuing graduate student

Criteria:

  • Awarded to a continuing junior (must be a classified graduate student who is not graduating in the spring or summer of the current academic year)
  • Outstanding service to the Department, University and or community
  • Must have completed a financial aid application
  • Must be a Communication Studies M.A. student

Apply link

Jeff Felix Family Scholarship

Jeff Felix is an alum of the COMS department, earning his B.A. before moving on to a successful career in banking.


The Jeff Felix Family Scholarship is designed to help students with financial need achieve their professional goals. Mentorship is available for winners from Mr. Felix. 

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer one scholarship annually of $1500.

Criteria:

  • Awarded to an academically outstanding continuing student in Communication Studies (30-105 units at the end of the spring semester in the current academic year) with financial need
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • Must have completed a financial aid application
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major

Apply link

Ellen and Howard Press Family Scholarship

Mrs. Press is an educator and published author of featured stories and children’s literature, and has founded and directed the award winning RAYS (Reading Awakens Young Scientists) program at the Discovery Center for Science and Technology in the Conejo Valley. Mr. Press currently serves as the President of Watt Communities, and his career in the homebuilding industry has spanned over 30 years. Mr. and Mrs. Press met while students at the University, while earning degrees in Business Administration and Speech Communication respectively.



The Press Scholarship provides mentorship opportunities for motivated students looking to connect their academic work to their future careers. This can be a multi-year award for sophomores and juniors. 

 

Award Amount:
The Department of Communication Studies is able to offer three scholarships annually of $2500.

Criteria:

  • Awarded to a continuing undergraduate student
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA
  • Student needs to (a) have sought career advisement and (b) write a 300-word application essay. The application essay should demonstrate how the applicant possesses innovative, “out of the box” approaches to move toward career goals, has taken concrete, creative steps to achieve their career goals, and how this scholarship will support them in their process of professionalization.
  • Must have completed a financial aid application
  • Must be a Communication Studies Major

Apply link

CSUN Forensics Scholarship

The CSUN Forensics Scholarship is for promising high school students looking to compete for the CSUN Forensics program. CSUN Forensics is devoted to providing argumentation and advocacy training to traditionally underserved student populations. The Matador Speech & Debate Club is a full-service organization which focuses on competitive policy debate, public forum debate, and individual events. 

 

Apply link

Robert J. Barbera Argumentation Award

 

The Robert J. Barbera Argumentation Award will provide scholarship funds for those demonstrating skills in the fields of argumentation and persuasive communication. All enrolled students at the University may apply for this scholarship and must submit an essay as prescribed on a current social topic.

 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Award Amount:

Three awards will be given: One for $5,000, one for $2,000, and one for $1,000

Deadline:

TBD for 2024


Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to all Majors
  • Must be a continuing undergraduate student
    Graduating Senior can apply and win an award for Spring 2024
  • Each year, one topic and essay prompt will be selected, and all students must engage in their own research to respond to this prompt and cite the relevant sources of information.
    * Essay Length: Between five and ten pages of content, double spaced, Times New Roman font at 12point size. Should be accompanied by a separate references page citing those works mentioned within the essay.
    * Essay Structure taken from https://www.wizeprep.com/blog/building-an-argumentative-essay-step-by-step
    * Essay Sample: To download a PDF essay sample please click on the following link: Essay PDF sample link
Supplemental Questions
  1. 2024 Essay Topic: TBD
    Resolved: 
    Essay should focus on providing one specific position, either an argument in agreement with the resolution or a position against the resolution.
    Length: Between five and ten pages of content, double-spaced, Times New Roman font at 12-point size. Should be accompanied by a separate references page citing those works mentioned within the essay.
  2. Please provide your anticipated graduation date (month and year).