Point Park Students Awarded Scholarships from the School of Communication Monday, November 2, 2020
"I am so thankful to the donors of these scholarships for choosing me to receive their awards. This financial aid will allow me to focus more intently on my thesis project and paper during my last semester at Point Park University, as well as continue to work on outside projects that help benefit my community."
Point Park University students were awarded endowed scholarships from the School of Communication for the 2020-21 academic year. The scholarships recognize academic accomplishments, experience in student media and/or organizations, among other qualifications.
"I am so thankful to the donors of these scholarships for choosing me to receive their awards," said Camryn Drabenstadt, a senior photography major from Weddington High School in Weddington, N.C. "This financial aid will allow me to focus more intently on my thesis project and paper during my last semester at Point Park University, as well as continue to work on outside projects that help benefit my community."
The Point Park students selected include:
Myron Cope and Margy Snyder Memorial Scholarships
Tatyana Dumova Multimedia Scholarship
- Blake Beshero
- Devon Colebank
- Megan McKenzie
Vincent J. LaBarbera Scholarship
- Devon Colebank
- Camryn Drabenstadt
- Noah Fodor
- Emily Sjoberg
William Thomas Scholarship
- Camryn Drabenstadt
- Devon Colebank
In Their Own Words: Hear from Scholarship Recipients
Colton DeBiase
Major: Broadcast reporting '22
Minor: Broadcast production and media management
Hometown: Export, Pa.
High school: Serra Catholic High School
Career goals: Sports broadcaster
"I choose the School of Communication because I was able to get involved immediately in student media (U-View, WPPJ and the Point Park Sports Network). I wanted to make an impact when I stepped on campus to begin learning the skills I need to become a successful broadcast journalist."
Taylor Spirito
Major: Broadcast reporting '21
Minor: Creative writing
Hometown: Erie, Pa.
High school: Fort LeBoeuf High School
Career goals: Play-by-play broadcaster for an NHL team or a host/analyst for NHL Network
"Receiving these scholarships means the world to me, especially as a senior. Now I can live comfortably knowing I’ll be able to make my rent payments. Most importantly, I can start paying my loans and pay my mom for supporting me throughout my undergraduate journey."
Blake Beshero
Major: Broadcast production and media management '21
Hometown: Sharpsville, Pa.
High school: Kennedy Catholic High School
Career goals: To open my own broadcast studio
"Receiving this scholarship means so much to me. It brings me one step closer to opening up my own studio to help people who would like to do things in the media."
Devon Colebank
Major: Multimedia '21
Minor: Public relations and advertising
Hometown: Uniontown, Pa.
High school: Albert Gallatin High School
Career goals: To be a creative director and content creator for a major entertainment business, as well as open my own media agency and restaurant one day.
"I chose the multimedia program because it was the perfect combination of each one of my passions: photography, advertising, graphic design and social media. Having a degree like this can land me a job anywhere in the communications field with the skills and information I have learned at Point Park University."
Megan McKenzie
Major: Multimedia '22
Minor: PR and advertising
Hometown: East Pittsburgh, Pa.
High school: Redeemer Lutheran High School
Career goals: To start my own consulting firm providing public relations and advertising to clients in the Pittsburgh area
"I chose the multimedia program because of how many different skills it teaches. I love that I can learn graphic design, marketing, copywriting and more with this major. Receiving this scholarship means that I have been able to achieve my goals and I have people who recognize my hard work."
Camryn Drabenstadt
Major: Photography '21
Minor: Graphic design
Hometown: Weddington, N.C.
High school: Weddington High School
Career goals: Editor-in-chief of an art magazine or working in art book design and publishing
"I am so thankful to the donors of these scholarships for choosing me to receive their awards. This financial aid will allow me to focus more intently on my thesis project and paper during my last semester at Point Park University, as well as continue to work on outside projects that help benefit my community."
Noah Fodor
Major: Photography '21
Hometown: Bridgeville, Pa.
High school: Chartiers Valley High School
Career goals: Produce photobooks through the work I make in my career. Plus, I want to get my MFA in photography and teach photography.
"Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me because it's very rewarding to see all of my hard work pay off. This scholarship is going to help me make the best work I can in my final semesters at Point Park."
Emily Sjoberg
Major: PR and advertising '22
Minor: Graphic design
Hometown: Presque Isle, Maine
High school: Presque Isle High School
Career goals: Director of communications for a nonprofit
"I chose Point Park because of the emphasis of experiences both inside and outside of the classroom, which are able to truly prepare students for careers. The Downtown Pittsburgh location has provided me with many opportunities for professional development. Receiving the Vincent J. LaBarbera Scholarship will allow me to focus on gaining experience within my field before graduation."
Learn More
Discover the more than 70 undergraduate majors offered at Point Park. Also, request information or apply online.