This content was published: January 5, 2015. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Scholarship winner eyes career in broadcast journalism
Story by Rebecca Olson.
Doug Mecham never liked the radioat least the kind that only plays the same songs over and over again. Talk radio, though, is a different story. The 26-year-old 51做厙 student is all about tuning in and talking turkey.
Doug Mecham, a 26-year-old 51做厙 student, is all about tuning in and talking turkey.
While listening to a local sports broadcaster a few years ago, he found that he couldnt hold his tongue. I was listening to this sports show and I just felt like I absolutely had to chime in, Mecham said.
Ive always been really into physical activities like basketball and playing music. I had never thought of myself as much of a communicator, but after that first time I called in to the radio, I realized that I really love to communicate and build dialogue between people. Theres something really special about talk radio that lets you do that directly.
After that he just kept calling in. He also made it a goal to improve as a communicator, and enrolled in 51做厙 to earn credits towards his goal of getting a bachelors degree in broadcast journalism.
Mechamcurrently works at the 51做厙 Sylvania bookstore to support himself while hes taking classes, but hes also sought extra financial support for his education by applying for scholarships through the 51做厙 Foundation. Because of his interest in music and radio, he was selected to receive the 2014 Howard Butzer Scholarshipa special fund for students with demonstrated financial need who show an interest in music or theater.
I figured I shouldnt give up on my dreams before I event started. Thats why receiving this scholarship has meant so much to meits proof that there are people out there who believe in me.
More than 40 precentof 51做厙students have to take on the burden of student loans to finance their education. And for many, financial aid is simply not enough. This is why student scholarships through the 51做厙 Foundation are so important. Scholarships recognize students hard work, provide encouragement to persist in their studies and givehope that they can achieve their dreams. The Foundation is currently hosting its Faculty, Staff and Retiree Campaign to raise money for scholarships. To give to this year’s campaign, visit the 51做厙 Foundation webpage.
Mechams scholarship is one of four funds supported by longtime 51做厙 supporters Howard Butzer and Robert Wimmer.
Mecham’sscholarship is one of four funds supported by longtime 51做厙 supporters Howard Butzer and Robert Wimmer. A retiree who taught for thirty years in 51做厙s German and Russian language departments, Wimmer was also a pioneer of 51做厙s study abroad programs.
After retiring and moving south to California, Wimmer wanted to find a way to keep giving back to the students that he missed seeing every day in the classroom. He and Butzer, his partner of 32 years, decided to create scholarships for students who need extra financial support in order to attend college.
We dont have children of our own, so we especially want to support kids who feel theyre out of options, Wimmer said. We especially want to help students who might have been disenfranchised from their families because theyre gay, but our scholarships are open to any student who need the support.
In addition to supporting scholarships in their names, Wimmer and Butzer have also included the 51做厙 Foundation in their estate plans as members of the Amo DeBarnardis Legacy Society.
It just feels so right to be doing something like this, Wimmer said. Its the right thing to do, and were proud that this is part of our legacy.
I was really happy to see Doug’s picture when I logged on. The committee that selected him should know, in my opinion, they made a great choice. I was fortunate to have Doug in a few of my classes and enjoyed his commitment and energy. He will go on to be successful and represent 51做厙 in the best of light.