[452]MTSU’s LAURA RAINES EARNS JOURNALISM SCHOLARHIP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 22, 2008
CONTACT: Office of News and Public Affairs, 615-494-8857

MTSU’s LAURA RAINES EARNS JOURNALISM SCHOLARHIP

(MURFREESBORO, Tenn.)—MTSU senior Laura Raines of Murfreesboro recently was chosen as the 2008 recipient of the Lisa L. Rollins Journalism Scholarship, which is presented annually to a nontraditional student majoring in mass communication, with an emphasis in news-editorial, magazine, electronic media, public relations or media design/graphics.
Raines, 22, was selected to receive the $500 award by the School of Journalism’s scholarship committee. The scholarship was presented during the College of Mass Communication’s 15th Annual Student Awards ceremony April 23.
A native of Cleveland, Tenn., Raines received her GED before enrolling in MTSU’s mass communication program. During the fall and spring semesters, she is employed full time by ARAMARK Food Services.
Regarding her receipt of the award, Raines said, “(The) Lisa L. Rollins Journalism Scholarship … allows students like me, with a family, financial assistance for college. (With this scholarship), I will be able to do an internship this summer!”
Rollins, who serves as part-time journalism professor at MTSU and as director of special media projects for the Office of News and Public Affairs, established the scholarship in 2004 to assist journalism majors, especially nontraditional learners, who excelled academically but demonstrated financial need.
“I understand what it’s like to juggle many roles in life at one time, including being a parent and a college student at the same time, as well as one who must work full time,” Rollins said. “I am thrilled that Laura, who is the mom of a 4-year-old, will benefit from this year’s scholarship.”
A past recipient of the Tennessee Lottery HOPE Scholarship, Raines will complete her PR internship this summer at Awesome Entertainment in Nashville. She plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, with an emphasis in public relations, in spring 2009 and pursue a career in corporate communications.

—30—