2008 Woodie Awards
Award to honor slain MU student
Kristina Murrill
Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: News
Marshall University announced it is establishing a scholarship in memory of murdered student Leah Hickman.
The Leah Hickman Memorial Scholarship in Journalism will be awarded to a Marshall University full-time freshman, sophomore or junior who is majoring in journalism and is a West Virginia resident who is in good standing in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The scholarship was made available through funding by The Dress Barn, Hickman's former employer, the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and Hickman's family and friends.
Sherry Russell, Hickman's mother, helped create the scholarship to honor her daughter's memory.
Hickman, a 21-year-old broadcast journalism student, was found dead Dec. 21 at her apartment, located at 403 8th Ave.
Police are still investigating Hickman's death.
Peggy Nida, manager of The Dress Barn in Barboursville, W.Va. and Hickman's former employer, said she is glad to see the scholarship come to fruition.
The Dress Barn also used reward money it raised to help cover funeral costs for Hickman's family.
"I think it's wonderful. Leah would have been honored," Nida said. "She was the type of person who liked to help others. She would have been proud to see her family do something like this for her."
Corley Dennison, dean of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications, said Russell talked about her daughter's interest in journalism and how she wanted to give students an opportunity to make change.
"Sherry Russell believes by having this scholarship, other students could help make a difference here," Dennison said.
Dennison said the scholarship will be awarded to a student at the SOJMC's annual spring banquet.
Dennison said several fundraising events are being planned, including an upcoming fundraiser by students at Marshall's WMUL radio station. They plan to collect donations at the Memorial Student Center for the scholarship fund, and those who contribute will receive a blue bracelet with the inscription, "Remember Leah."
Other fundraising efforts will be handled in cooperation with the Marshall University Foundation. The foundation will be seeking an endowment of at least $15,000 for the scholarship, Dennison said.
To make a contribution, visit www.marshalluniversityfoundation.com or contact Tracy Straub, donor relations coordinator, at 696-6781.
Kristina Murrill can be contacted at murrill1@marshall.edu.
The Leah Hickman Memorial Scholarship in Journalism will be awarded to a Marshall University full-time freshman, sophomore or junior who is majoring in journalism and is a West Virginia resident who is in good standing in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The scholarship was made available through funding by The Dress Barn, Hickman's former employer, the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and Hickman's family and friends.
Sherry Russell, Hickman's mother, helped create the scholarship to honor her daughter's memory.
Hickman, a 21-year-old broadcast journalism student, was found dead Dec. 21 at her apartment, located at 403 8th Ave.
Police are still investigating Hickman's death.
Peggy Nida, manager of The Dress Barn in Barboursville, W.Va. and Hickman's former employer, said she is glad to see the scholarship come to fruition.
The Dress Barn also used reward money it raised to help cover funeral costs for Hickman's family.
"I think it's wonderful. Leah would have been honored," Nida said. "She was the type of person who liked to help others. She would have been proud to see her family do something like this for her."
Corley Dennison, dean of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications, said Russell talked about her daughter's interest in journalism and how she wanted to give students an opportunity to make change.
"Sherry Russell believes by having this scholarship, other students could help make a difference here," Dennison said.
Dennison said the scholarship will be awarded to a student at the SOJMC's annual spring banquet.
Dennison said several fundraising events are being planned, including an upcoming fundraiser by students at Marshall's WMUL radio station. They plan to collect donations at the Memorial Student Center for the scholarship fund, and those who contribute will receive a blue bracelet with the inscription, "Remember Leah."
Other fundraising efforts will be handled in cooperation with the Marshall University Foundation. The foundation will be seeking an endowment of at least $15,000 for the scholarship, Dennison said.
To make a contribution, visit www.marshalluniversityfoundation.com or contact Tracy Straub, donor relations coordinator, at 696-6781.
Kristina Murrill can be contacted at murrill1@marshall.edu.
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